In January 2011, compared with December 2010, the volume of retail trade rose by 0.4% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.6% in the EU27. In December 2010 retail trade fell by 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.

In January 2011, compared with January 2010, the retail sales index increased by 0.7% in the euro area and by 1.9% in the EU27.

Monthly changes – In January 2011, compared with December 2010, "Food, drinks and tobacco" gained 0.1% in the euro area, but fell by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector rose by 0.6% and 1.3% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data was available, total retail trade increased in nine and declined in nine. The highest increases were observed in Slovenia (+4.6%), Lithuania (+4.3%) and Bulgaria (+2.1%), and the largest decreases in Estonia (-4.2%), Latvia and Malta (both -1.7%).

Annual changes – In January 2011, compared with January 2010, "Food, drinks and tobacco" fell by 0.8% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27. The non food sector increased by 1.5% and 4.2% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data was available, total retail trade rose in nine and decreased in nine. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+13.1%), the United Kingdom (+5.6%) and France (+4.3%), and the largest decreases in Malta (-9.7%), Romania (-5.8%) and Portugal (-5.4%).

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

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