05 December 2017

Volume of retail trade down by 1.1% in euro area

In October 2017 compared with September 2017, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased by 1.1% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.5% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat.

In September, the retail trade volume rose by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU28. In October 2017 compared with October 2016, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU28. 

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 1.1% decrease in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in October 2017, compared with September 2017, is due to falls of 1.3% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, of 1.1% for non-food products and of 0.1% for automotive fuel. In the EU28, the 0.5% decrease in the volume of retail trade is due to falls of 0.9% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.8% for non-food products, while automotive fuel remained stable. Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Luxembourg (-5.3%), Portugal (-2.3%) and Austria (-1.9%), while the highest increases were observed in Romania (+1.0%), the United Kingdom (+0.9%), Poland and Slovakia (both+0.6%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 0.4% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in October 2017, compared with October 2016, is due to rises of 0.6% for non-food products, of 0.3% for automotive fuel and of 0.2% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”. In the EU28, the 0.9% increase in retail trade volume is due to rises of 1.5% for non-food products, of 0.8% for automotive fuel and of 0.1% for “Food, drinks and tobacco". Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Romania (+12.6%), Poland (+7.1%), Ireland, Hungary and Malta (all +6.3%), while the largest decreases were observed in Luxembourg (-27.0%), Austria (-2.2%) and Belgium (-2.1%).

Full press release

© Eurostat