In February 2012 compared with January 2012, the volume of retail trade decreased by 0.1% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.4% in the EU27. In January retail trade rose by 1.1% and 0.9% respectively. In February 2012, compared with February 2011, the retail sales index fell by 2.1% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

In February 2012, compared with January 2012, “Food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.6% in the euro area and 0.4% in the EU27. The non food sector remained stable in the euro area and fell by 0.3% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in ten and rose in eleven. The largest decreases were observed in Slovenia (-5.0%), Poland (-2.7%) and Romania (-2.5%), and the highest increases in Malta (+4.7%), Luxembourg (+2.2%) and Denmark (+1.9%).

Annual comparison

In February 2012, compared with February 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.0% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 1.6% and 0.2% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in eight and rose in thirteen. The largest decreases were observed in Portugal (-9.6%), Bulgaria (-6.4%) and Spain (-6.2%), and the highest increases in Estonia (+14.8%), Latvia (+10.0%) and Denmark (+8.1%).