In February 2010, compared with January 2010, the volume of retail trade decreased by 0.6% in the euro area (EA16) and remained stable in the EU27. In January retail trade fell by 0.2% and 0.4% respectively. In February 20104, compared with February 2009, the retail sales index declined by 1.1% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU27.

Monthly changes In February 2010, compared with January 2010, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.6% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27. The non food sector rose by 0.2% and 0.6% respectively. Among the Member States for which data was available, total retail trade fell in thirteen and rose in seven. The largest decreases were observed in Portugal (-3.4%), Estonia (-2.3%) and Slovenia (-1.7%), and the highest increases in the United Kingdom (+2.2%), Malta (+0.9%) and France (+0.6%).

Annual changes In February 2010, compared with February 2009, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 3.1% in the euro area and by 2.7% in the EU27. The non food sector grew by 0.7% and 2.1% respectively. Among the Member States for which data was available, total retail trade fell in fourteen and rose in six. The largest decreases were observed in Lithuania (-17.1%), Latvia (-13.3%) and Bulgaria (-12.4%), and the highest increases in Austria (+3.2%), Malta (+3.1%) and the United Kingdom (+2.8%).

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

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