In February 2012 compared with January 2012, the volume of retail trade decreased by 0.1% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.4% in the EU27. In January retail trade rose by 1.1% and 0.9% respectively.

In February 2012, compared with January 2012 among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in ten and rose in eleven. The largest decreases were observed in Slovenia (-5.0%), Poland (-2.7%) and Romania (-2.5%), and the highest increases in Malta (+4.7%), Luxembourg (+2.2%) and Denmark (+1.9%).

In February 20124, compared with February 2011, the retail sales index fell by 2.1% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU27.

In February 2012, compared with January 2012, “Food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.6% in the euro area and 0.4% in the EU27. The non food sector remained stable in the euro area and fell by 0.3% in the EU27.

In February 2012, compared with February 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.0% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 1.6% and 0.2% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in eight and rose in thirteen. The largest decreases were observed in Portugal (-9.6%), Bulgaria (-6.4%) and Spain (-6.2%), and the highest increases in Estonia (+14.8%), Latvia (+10.0%) and Denmark (+8.1%). Malta stood at 2.7%.

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

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