In February 2011, compared with January 2011, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.1% in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. In January retail trade rose by 0.2% and 0.4% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in eleven and increased in ten. The largest decreases were observed in Slovenia (-1.3%), France (-1.1%) and Belgium (-0.8%), and the highest increases in Lithuania (+2.2%), Malta (+1.8%) and Estonia (+1.6%).

In February 2011, compared with February 2010, the retail sales index grew by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU27.

In February 2011, compared with January 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” remained stable in both the euro area and the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.1% and 0.4% respectively.

In February 2011, compared with February 2010, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.5% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU27. The non food sector increased by 0.9% and 2.4% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in thirteen and decreased in eight. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+12.6%), Luxembourg (+8.8%) and Lithuania (+6.1%), and the largest decreases in Spain (-5.6%), Romania (-4.8%) and Portugal (-4.5%).

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

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