In August 2009, compared with July 2009, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.2% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.3% in the EU27. In July retail trade dropped by 0.2% in the euro area but remained stable in the EU27.

In August 2009, compared with August 2008, the retail sales index decreased by 2.6% in the euro area and by 1.8% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In August 2009, compared with July 2009, “Food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.5% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector fell by 0.6% in both zones.

Among the Member States for which data is available, total retail trade rose in four and fell in thirteen. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+1.5%) and Spain (+1.4%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-3.3%), Sweden (-2.7%), Lithuania (-2.3%) and Austria (-2.0%).

Annual changes

In August 2009, compared with August 2008, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.3% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector declined by 3.2% and 2.1% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data is available, total retail trade rose in four and fell in thirteen. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+6.8%) and Austria (+1.3%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-30.3%), Estonia (-20.6%), Lithuania (-20.3%) and Slovenia (-13.2%).

Note: No data was available for Malta.

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

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