In November 2009, compared with October 2009, the volume of retail trade1 fell by 1.2% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.8% in the EU27. In October retail trade rose by 0.2% and 0.5% respectively.

In November 20094, compared with November 2008, the retail sales index decreased by 4.0% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In November 2009, compared with October 2009, “Food, drinks and tobacco” declined by 0.4% in both zones. The non food sector fell by 1.6% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in fifteen and rose only in Poland (+1.0%) and the United Kingdom (+0.2%). The largest decreases were observed in Lithuania (-4.8%), Estonia (-3.1%) and Latvia (-2.3%).

Annual changes

In November 2009, compared with November 2008, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 2.9% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU27. The non food sector dropped by 4.2% and by 1.7% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in twelve, rose in four and remained stable in Finland. The largest decreases were observed in Latvia (-30.2%), Lithuania (-27.8%) and Estonia (-21.2%), and the highest increases in Poland (+4.6%) and Belgium (+3.7%).

These first estimates come from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

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