In July 2012 compared with June 2012, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.2% in the euro area (EA17) and remained stable in the EU27. In June retail trade rose by 0.1% and 0.2% respectively.

In July 2012, compared with July 2011, the retail sales index fell by 1.7% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27.

Malta’s volume of retail trade was the second largest monthly decrease in the EU at -1.7% and the third largest annual decrease at -4.2%.

In July 2012, compared with June 2012, “Food, drinks and tobacco” decreased by 0.9% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU27. The non food sector rose by 0.9% and 0.7% respectively.

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

The largest decreases were observed in Spain (-1.9%), Malta and Austria (both -1.7%) as well as Germany and Slovenia (both -0.9%). The highest increases were registered in Latvia (+2.7%), Ireland (+1.7%) and Poland (+1.6%).

In July 2012, compared with July 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.7% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 1.0% in the euro area, while it increased by 1.2% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in twelve and fell in nine. The largest decreases were observed in Portugal (-7.6%), Spain (-7.3%) and Malta (-4.2%), and the highest increases in Latvia (+10.3%), Estonia (+6.5%) and Lithuania (+5.7%).

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

Permalink: Malta’s fall in retail trade is one of the highest in the EU