In March 2009, compared with February 2009, the volume of retail trade decreased by 0.6% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.3% in the EU272. In February retail trade fell by 0.3% and 0.8% respectively.

In March 2009, compared with March 2008, the retail sales index decreased by 4.2% in the euro area and by 3.1% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In March 2009, compared with February 2009, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.4% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27. The non food sector remained unchanged in the euro area and rose by 0.2% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data is available, total retail trade fell in ten, rose in six and remained unchanged in Denmark and Romania. The largest decreases were observed in Lithuania (-4.3%), Poland (-3.3%), Latvia (-2.6%), Portugal (-1.5%) and Germany (-1.0%), and the highest increases in Slovenia (+6.8%), France (+1.1%), Estonia, Austria and the United Kingdom (all +1.0%).

Annual changes

In March 2009, compared with March 2008, “Food, drinks and tobacco” dropped by 5.2% in the euro area and by 3.7% in the EU27. The non food sector fell by 1.9% and 1.6% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data is available, total retail trade fell in fifteen and rose only in Belgium (+2.1%), Austria (+2.0%) and the United Kingdom (+0.8%). The largest decreases were observed in Latvia (-27.3%), Lithuania (-21.1%) and Estonia (-16.6%).

Note: Specific data for Malta was not available.

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

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