In June 2009, compared with May 2009, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.2% in the euro area (EA16), but increased by 0.1% in the EU272. In May3 retail trade declined by 0.5% and by 0.6% respectively.

In June 2009, compared with June 2008, the retail sales index decreased by 2.4% in the euro area and by 1.7% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In June 2009, compared with May 2009, “Food, drinks and tobacco” decreased by 0.2% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.2% in the euro area, but increased by 0.3% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in seven and fell in ten. The highest increases were observed in Slovenia (+1.7%), Estonia (+1.4%) and the United Kingdom (+1.3%) and the largest decreases in Latvia (-5.1%), Romania (-3.8%) and Germany (-1.8%).

Annual changes

In June 2009, compared with June 2008, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.3% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27. The non food sector declined by 2.5% and 1.3% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in thirteen and rose only in Austria (+2.7%), the United Kingdom (+1.8%), Sweden (+1.2%) and Poland (+0.6%). The largest decreases were observed in Latvia (-29.1%), Lithuania (-19.9%) and Romania (-17.8%).

No data was available for Malta.

These first estimates come from Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

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