Malta registers fourth highest annual increase of retail trade

In June compared with May, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 1.1% in the euro area and by 1.2% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

In May, the retail trade volume decreased by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU28.

In June compared with June 2018, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 2.6% in the euro area and by 2.8% in the EU28.

In the euro area in June, compared with May, the volume of retail trade increased by 1.6% for automotive fuel, by 1.2% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 1.1% for non-food products. In the EU28, the retail trade volume increased by 1.7% for automotive fuel, by 1.3% for non-food products and by 1% for food, drinks and tobacco.

Among member states for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Croatia (+6.8%), Germany (+3.5%) and Poland (+2.8%). The largest decreases were observed in Portugal (-0.9%), Ireland (-0.8%) and Slovenia (-0.5%).

In the euro area in June, compared with June 2018, the volume of retail trade increased by 4.1% for non-food products, by 1% for automotive fuel and by 0.8% for food, drinks and tobacco. In the EU28, the retail trade volume increased by 4.7% for non-food products, by 1.2% for automotive fuel and by 0.9% for food, drinks and tobacco.

Among member states for which data are available, the highest yearly increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Croatia (+7.4%), Lithuania and Romania (both +5.7%) and Malta (+5.6%).

The only decrease was observed in Slovakia (-0.4%).