In October 2009, compared with September 2009, the volume of retail trade remained stable in the euro area (EA16) and rose by 0.3% in the EU27. In September retail trade fell by 0.5% and 0.3% respectively.

In October 2009, compared with October 2008, the retail sales index decreased by 1.9% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In October 2009, compared with September 2009, “Food, drinks and tobacco” declined by 0.3% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27. The non food sector grew by 0.3% and 0.7% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data was available, total retail trade rose in eleven and fell in six. The highest increases were observed in Lithuania (+1.9%), Portugal (+1.7%) and Poland (+1.6%), and the largest decreases in Romania (-1.9%), Slovakia (-1.7%) and Latvia (-1.3%).

Annual changes

In October 2009, compared with October 2008, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.6% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 1.3% in the euro area, but rose by 0.1% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data was available, total retail trade rose in five and fell in twelve. The highest increases were observed in Belgium (+4.4%), Sweden (+4.1%) and Poland (+3.9%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-29.1%), Lithuania (-24.7%) and Estonia (-18.6%).

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

Note: No data was available from Malta.

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