Eurostat: In June 2018 compared with May 2018, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 0.3% in the euro area (EA19) and remained stable in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In May, the retail trade volume increased by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU28.
The 0.3% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in June 2018, compared with May 2018, is due to rises of 0.7% in “food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.6% in automotive fuels, while non-food products fell by 0.3%. In the EU28, the unchanged volume of retail trade is due to increases of 0.4% in “food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.1% in automotive fuel, while non-food products fell by 0.4%.
Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Germany (+1.2%), Spain and Poland (both +0.7%). The largest decreases were observed in Sweden and Finland (both -2.1%) as well as Estonia (-1.9%).
Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State The 1.2% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in June 2018, compared with June 2017, is due to rises of 1.7% for “food, drinks and tobacco” and of 1.3% for non-food products, while automotive fuels fell by 0.6%. In the EU28, the 1.9% increase in retail trade volume is due to increases of 2.0% for “food, drinks and tobacco”, 1.9% for non-food products and 1.2% for automotive fuel.
Among Member States for which data are available, the highest yearly increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Romania (+7.8%), Lithuania (+7.2%), Hungary (+6.1%) and Bulgaria (+6.0%). The largest decreases were observed in Malta (-1.5%), Austria (-1.4%) and Estonia (-1.2%).
