On an annual basis, the calendar adjusted retail sales index in April 2024 remained stable in the euro area and showed a slight decrease of 0.1 per cent in the EU compared to April 2023.

In the euro area, the volume of retail trade in April 2024 compared with March 2024 decreased across various sectors. Non-food products (excluding automotive fuel) decreased by 0.1 per cent. In the EU, retail trade volume for non-food products (excluding automotive fuel) remained stable, as per Eurostat.

Among the member states with available data, Latvia experienced the largest monthly decrease in total retail trade volume at 3.3 per cent, followed by Cyprus at 3.1 per cent, and Denmark at 2.7 per cent. Conversely, the highest increases were recorded in Slovakia with a 2.4 per cent rise, followed by Bulgaria and Austria both at 1.9 per cent, and Portugal at 1.7 per cent.

Comparing April 2024 with April 2023, the euro area saw an increase of 0.4 per cent for non-food products (excluding automotive fuel).

In the EU, the volume of retail trade increased by 0.1 per cent for non-food products (excluding automotive fuel).

Among the member states with available data, Poland experienced the largest annual decrease in total retail trade volume at 7.3 per cent, followed by Belgium at 5.8 per cent, and Estonia at 4.9 per cent. On the other hand, the highest annual increases were observed in Bulgaria and Romania, both at 9.8 per cent, followed by Croatia and Slovakia, both at 8.6 per cent, and Luxembourg at 7.3 per cent.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)