In September 2009, compared with August 2009, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.7% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.4% in the EU27. In August retail trade dropped by 0.1% and 0.3% respectively.

In September 2009, compared with September 2008, the retail sales index decreased by 3.6% in the euro area and by 2.5% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In September 2009, compared with August 2009, “Food, drinks and tobacco” declined by 0.9% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU27. The non food sector fell by 0.6% and 0.3% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data was available, total retail trade rose in six and fell in eleven. The highest increases were observed in Austria (+2.5%) and Slovakia (+1.1%), and the largest decreases in Lithuania (-7.6%), Estonia (-2.4%) and Portugal (-2.0%).

Annual changes

In September 2009, compared with September 2008, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 2.3% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU27. The non food sector declined by 4.1% and 2.5% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data was available, total retail trade rose in four and fell in thirteen. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+5.4%) and Austria (+3.1%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-30.9%), Lithuania (-25.7%) and Estonia (-20.8%).

Note: No data was available from Malta.

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

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