In December 2008, compared with November 2008, the volume of retail trade remained stable in both the euro area (EA15) and the EU27. In November retail trade fell by 0.1% in both zones.

In December 2008, compared with December 2007, the retail sales index decreased by 1.6% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27.

The average volume of retail trade index for 2008, compared with 2007, fell by 1.4% in the euro area, but increased by 0.1% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In December 2008, compared with November 2008, retail trade of “food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.2% in the euro area, but fell by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.4% in the euro area, but rose by 0.1% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data is available, total retail trade rose in four, fell in twelve and remained stable in Bulgaria and the United Kingdom. The highest increases were observed in Luxembourg (+4.0%) and Slovakia (+1.3%), and the largest decreases in Slovenia (-9.0%), Portugal (-6.9%) and Latvia (-4.0%).

Annual changes

In December 2008, compared with December 2007, retail trade of “food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.0% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27. The non food sector declined by 2.0% and 0.4% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data is available, total retail trade rose in four and fell in fourteen. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+4.6%) and Slovakia (+3.2%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-16.9%), Estonia (-13.2%) and Denmark (-9.0%).

These first estimates come from Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

Note: No specific data was available for Malta.

Permalink: Volume of retail trade remains stable in both euro area and EU27