The FINANCIAL — In August 2017 compared with July 2017, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade fell by 0.5% in the euro area (EA19), while it remained stable in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
In July, the retail trade volume decreased by 0.3% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU28.
In August 2017 compared with August 2016, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.2% in the euro area and by 2.0% in the EU28.
Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State
The 0.5% decrease in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in August 2017, compared with July 2017, is due to falls of 0.9% for automotive fuel, of 0.4% for non-food products and of 0.3% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”. In the EU28, the stable volume of retail trade is due to decreases of 0.5% for automotive fuel and of 0.1% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while non-food products rose by 0.2%.
Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Portugal (-1.3%), Austria (-1.0%) and Belgium (-0.9%), while the highest increases were observed in Romania (+2.3%), the United Kingdom (+1.9%) and Malta (+1.5%).
Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State
The 1.2% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in August 2017, compared with August 2016, is due to rises of 2.3% for non-food products and of 1.1% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while automotive fuel fell by 0.2%. In the EU28, the 2.0% increase in retail trade volume is due to rises of 3.3% for non-food products, of 1.2% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.8% for automotive fuel.
Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Romania (+15.8%), Slovenia (+7.5%), Malta (+6.9%), Slovakia (+6.8%) and Poland (+6.7%), while decreases were observed in Luxembourg (-25.6%) and Belgium (-2.4%).
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