Volume of retail trade up by 0.1% in euro area

In April 2017 compared with March 2017, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 0.1% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.5% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In March the retail trade volume increased by 0.2% in the euro area, while it fell by 0.1% in the EU28.

In April 2017 compared with April 2016, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 2.5% in the euro area and by 3.0% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison

The 0.1% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in April 2017, compared with March 2017, is due to the rise of 0.6% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while non-food products fell by 0.4% and automotive fuel by 0.8%. In the EU28, the 0.5% increase in the volume of retail trade is due to rises of 0.6% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.4% for non-food products, while automotive fuel fell by 0.3%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in the United Kingdom (+2.8%), Finland (+2.0%), Portugal and Sweden (both +1.5%), while the largest decreases were observed in Croatia (-2.1%), Austria (-1.2%) and Hungary (-0.8%).

Annual comparison

The 2.5% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in April 2017, compared with April 2016, is due to rises of 3.4% for non-food products and of 2.1% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while automotive fuel fell by 1.6%. In the EU28, the 3.0% increase in retail trade volume is due to rises of 4.2% for non-food products and of 2.6% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while automotive fuel fell by 1.1%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were observed in Luxembourg (+11.3%), Slovenia (+10.4%) and Ireland (+8.4%), while a decrease was observed in Belgium (-0.8%).