In June 2012 compared with May 2012, the volume of retail trade rose by 0.1% in the euro area (EA17) and fell by 0.3% in the EU27. In May retail trade increased by 0.8% in both zones.

In June 20124, compared with June 2011, the retail sales index declined by 1.2% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU27.

In June 2012, compared with May 2012, “Food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.4% in the euro area and fell by 0.1% in the EU27. The non food sector declined by 0.7% in both zones.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in seven, fell in eleven and remained stable in Denmark, Lithuania and Poland.

The highest increases were registered in Slovenia (+2.4%), Latvia (+2.1%) and Luxembourg (+1.5%), and the largest decreases in Ireland (-2.2%), the United Kingdom (-1.7%) and Romania (-1.1%). Malta stood at -0.2%.

In June 2012, compared with June 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.0% in both the euro area and the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 1.4% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in eight, rose in twelve and remained stable in Austria.

The largest decreases were observed in Portugal (-5.3%), Spain (-5.1%) and Malta (-4.3%), and the highest increases in Estonia and Latvia (both +8.4%), Luxembourg (+5.9%) and Romania (+3.9%).

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

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