In November 2010, compared with October 2010, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.8% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.4% in the EU27. In October retail trade remained stable in the euro area and rose by 0.1% in the EU27.

In November 2010, compared with November 2009, the retail sales index rose by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27.

Monthly changes – In November 2010, compared with October 2010, “Food, drinks and tobacco” declined by 0.9% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU27. The non food sector dropped by 0.8% and 0.4% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data was available, total retail trade fell in nine and rose in eight. The largest decreases were observed in Portugal (-4.2%), Lithuania (-1.9%) and Belgium (-1.5%), and the highest increases in Malta (+5.5%), France (+0.9%) and Estonia (+0.7%).

Annual changes – In November 2010, compared with November 2009, “Food, drinks and tobacco” declined by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector gained 0.7% and 2.0% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data was available, total retail trade rose in twelve and fell in five. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+11.8%), Latvia (+8.1%) and Estonia (+7.5%), Malta increased by 1%, and the largest decreases were in Romania (-8.9%), Bulgaria (-5.2%) and Portugal (-4.7%).

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

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