Volume of retail trade down by 1.1% in euro area 

In December 2017 compared with November 2017, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased by 1.1% in the euro area (EA19) and by 1.0% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November, the retail trade volume rose by 2.0% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU28.

In December 2017 compared with December 2016, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.9% in the euro area and by 2.4% in the EU28.

The average retail trade for the year 2017, compared with 2016, rose by 2.6% in both the euro area and EU28.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 1.1% decrease in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in December 2017, compared with November 2017, is due to falls of 1.5% for automotive fuel, of 1.2% for non-food products and of 0.7% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”. In the EU28, the 1.0% decrease in the volume of retail trade is due to falls of 1.1% for non-food products and of 0.7% for both “Food, drinks and tobacco” and automotive fuel.

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Luxembourg (-6.2%), Ireland (-2.7%) and Slovenia (-2.3%), while the highest increases were observed in Malta (+3.1%), Estonia (+1.8%) and Romania (+1.3%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 1.9% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in December 2017, compared with December 2016, is due to rises of 2.7% for non-food products and of 1.3% for “Food, drinks andm tobacco”, while automotive fuel fell by 0.8%. In the EU28, the 2.4% increase in retail trade volume is due to rises of 3.7% for non-food products, of 1.2% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.4% for automotive fuel.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Malta (+12.4%), Romania (+10.1%) and Poland (+9.2%), while decreases were observed in Luxembourg (-20.7%) and Belgium (-2.5%).

Source: eurostat – Volume of retail trade down by 1.1% in euro area

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