Malta sees 5.6% increase in retail sales in 2019

In December compared with November, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased by 1.6% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27, according to estimates from Eurostat, the

statistical office of the European Union.

In November, the retail trade volume increased by 0.8% in the

and by 0.9% in the

euro area EU27.

In December 2019 compared with December 2018, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.3% in the euro area and by 1.9% in the EU27.

The average retail trade for the year 2019, compared with 2018, rose by 2.2% in the euro area and by 2.4% in EU27.

In the euro area in December, compared with November, the volume of retail trade decreased by 1.6% for non-food products and by 1.4% for food, drinks and tobacco and automotive fuels. In the EU27, the volume of retail trade decreased by 1.6% for non-food products, by 1.3% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 0.9% for automotive fuels.

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Germany (-3.3%), Slovenia (-2.8%)

Finland

and (-2.3%). The highest increases were observed in (+2.7%), Malta (+1.3%) and

(+0.8%).

land

Romania

euro area

Ire

In the in December 2019, compared with December 2018, the volume of retail trade increased by 3.6% for non-food products while food, drinks and tobacco decreased by 0.7% and automotive fuel by 3.7%.

In the EU27, the retail trade volume increased by 4.0% for nonfood products while food, drinks and tobacco decreased by 0.3% and automotive fuel by 2.6%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest yearly increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Romania (+8.5%),

(+6.1%) and Malta (+5.6%).

The largest decreases were observed in Slovenia (-6.6%), Slovakia (-2.5%), and Finland (1.6%).

Hungary