In February, the retail trade volume decreased by 0.2 per cent in the euro area and by 0.3 per cent in the EU.
The calendar-adjusted retail sales index decreased by 3.8 per cent year on year (YoY) in the euro area and by 4.1 per cent YoY in the EU.
The largest monthly decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Latvia (minus 2.7 per cent), Germany and Poland (both minus 2.4 per cent) and Luxembourg (minus 1.9 per cent). The highest increases were observed in Romania (2.9 per cent), Portugal (2.3 per cent) and Ireland (1 per cent).
In the euro area, the volume of retail trade decreased by 2.2 per cent YoY for non-food products in March. In the EU, the retail trade volume decreased by 3.2 per cent for such products.
Among member states for which data are available, the largest yearly decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Estonia (minus 13.5 per cent), Hungary (minus 13.2 per cent) and Slovenia (minus 12.8 per cent). The highest increases were observed in Spain (10.8 per cent), Romania (7.2 per cent) and Cyprus (5.6 per cent).
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)