The FINANCIAL — In December 2016 compared with November 2016, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade fell by 0.3% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.8% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
In November the retail trade volume decreased by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU28.
In December 2016 compared with December 2015 the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.1% in the euro area and by 2.3% in the EU28.
The average retail trade for the year 2016, compared with 2015, rose by 1.8% in the euro area and by 2.8% in the EU28.
Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State
The 0.3% decrease in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in December 2016, compared with November 2016, is due to falls of 1.1% for automotive fuel and of 0.4% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while non-food products remained stable. In the EU28, the 0.8% decrease in the volume of retail trade is due to falls of 1.0% for non-food products, of 0.8% for automotive fuel and of 0.6% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”.
Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in the total retail trade volume were observed in Finland (-3.2%), the United Kingdom (-2.8%), Ireland and Sweden (both -2.7%), while the highest increases were registered in Luxembourg (+1.9%), Belgium (+1.1%) and France (+0.8%).
Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State
The 1.1% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in December 2016, compared with December 2015, is due to rises of 2.1% for non-food products and of 0.7% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while automotive fuel fell by 0.9%. In the EU28, the 2.3% increase in retail trade volume is due to rises of 3.3% for non-food products, of 1.4% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.3% for automotive fuel.
Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were observed in Luxembourg (+14.7%), Slovenia (+10.1%), Romania (+7.9%) and the United Kingdom (+6.6%), while decreases were observed in Finland (-2.2%), Germany (-1.1%), Denmark and Austria (both -1.0%) as well as Malta (-0.7%).
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