The FINANCIAL — In May 2018 compared with April 2018, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade did not change in the euro area (EA19) and increased by 0.3% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In April, the retail trade volume decreased by 0.1% in the euro area and increased by 0.3% in the EU28.
In May 2018 compared with May 2017 the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.4% in the euro area and by 2.3% in the EU28.
Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State
The unchanged volume of retail trade in the euro area in May 2018, compared with April 2018, is due to a rise of 1.1% in “food, drinks and tobacco”, while non-food products fell by 1.0%, and the volume of automotive fuels did not change. In the EU28, the 0.3% increase in the volume of retail trade is due to increases in “food, drinks and tobacco” by 1.2% and automotive fuel by 0.1%, while non-food products fell by 0.5%.
Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Portugal (+4.7%), Latvia (+3.4%), and Slovenia (+3.1%). Decreases were observed in Germany (-2.1%), Austria (-0.7%) as well as Spain and Poland both (-0.1%).
Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State
The 1.4% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in May 2018, compared with May 2017, is due to rises of 1.7% for “food, drinks and tobacco and of 1.6% for non-food products, while automotive fuel fell by 0.3%. In the EU28, the 2.3% increase in retail trade volume is due to rises of 2.8% for non-food products, of 2.1% for automotive fuel and of 2.0% for “food, drinks, tobacco”.
Among Member States for which data are available, the highest yearly increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Hungary (+7.7%), Romania (+7.1%) and Latvia (+6.9%). The largest decreases were observed in Malta (-1.8%), Luxembourg (-1.2%), and Spain (-0.4%).
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