Volume of retail trade up by 0.3% in both the euro area and the EU
Up by 5% in the euro area and by 5.4% in the EU compared with February 2021
In February, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 0.3% in both the euro area and the EU, compared with January, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In January, the retail trade volume increased by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU.
In February compared with February 2021, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 5% in the euro area and by 5.4% in the EU.
Monthly comparison by retail sector and by member state
In the euro area in February of this year, compared with January, the volume of retail trade increased by 3.2% for automotive fuels and by 0.8% for non-food products, while it fell by 0.5% for food, drinks and tobacco.
In the EU, the volume of retail trade increased by 3.9% for automotive fuels and by 0.4% for non-food products, while it fell by 0.4% for food, drinks and tobacco.
Among member states for which data are available, the highest monthly increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Slovenia (+8%), the Netherlands (+4%) and Portugal (+2.3%). The largest decreases were observed in Belgium ( 1.8%), Estonia ( 1.7%) and Poland ( 1.6%).
Annual comparison by retail sector and by member state
In the euro area in February, compared with February 2021, the volume of retail trade increased by 12% for automotive fuels and by 9.3% for non-food products, while it fell by 2% for food, drinks and tobacco.
In the EU, the retail trade volume increased by 12.7% for automotive fuels and by 9.6% for non-food products, while it fell by 1.5% 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 Slovenia (+21.7%), Slovakia (+16.5%) and Portugal (+15.9%). The largest decreases were observed in Austria ( 5.9%), Belgium ( 5.1%), Cyprus and Finland (both 2%).