In August 2011 compared with July 2011, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.3% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.2% in the EU27. In July retail trade rose by 0.2% and 0.1% respectively.

In August 2011 compared with August 2010, the retail sales index decreased by 1.0% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27.

In August 2011, compared with August 2010, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 1.3% and 0.7% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in twelve and grew in nine. The highest decreases were observed in Malta (-8.8%), the figures showing no real change from those in September, when Malta had the highest decrease at -8.9%. Other member states, Romania (-6.3%), Spain and Portugal (both -4.6%), and the largest increases in Luxembourg (+11.7%), Lithuania (+10.1%) and Latvia (+7.4%).

In August 2011, compared with July 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.6% in both zones.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in twelve and grew in nine. The highest decreases were observed in Romania (-3.1%), Germany (-2.9%) and Finland (-2.2%), and the largest increases in Slovenia (+3.1%), Luxembourg (+2.8%) and Lithuania (+2.5%). Malta stood at -0.5%.

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

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