In February 2011, compared with January 2011, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.1% in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. In January retail trade rose by 0.2% and 0.4% respectively.

In February 2011, compared with February 2010, the retail sales index grew by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In February 2011, compared with January 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” remained stable in both the euro area and the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.1% and 0.4% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in eleven and increased in ten. The largest decreases were observed in Slovenia (-1.3%), France (-1.1%) and Belgium (-0.8%), and the highest increases in Lithuania (+2.2%), Malta (+1.8%) and Estonia(+1.6%).

Annual changes

In February 2011, compared with February 2010, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.5% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU27. The non food sector increased by 0.9% and 2.4% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in thirteen and decreased in eight. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+12.6%), Luxembourg (+8.8%) and Lithuania (+6.1%), and the largest decreases in Spain (-5.6%), Romania (-4.8%) and Portugal (-4.5%).

These first estimates come from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.