In July 2014 compared with June 2014, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade fell by 0.4% in both the euro area (EA18) and the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In June retail trade increased by 0.3% in both zones. In July 2014 compared with July 2013, the retail sales index increased by 0.8% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 0.4% decrease in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in July 2014, compared with June 2014, is due to falls of 0.6% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and 0.2% for the non-food sector, while automotive fuel rose by 0.5%. In the EU28, the 0.4% decrease in retail trade is due to falls of 0.5% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, 0.3% for automotive fuel and 0.2% for the non-food sector.

The largest decreases in total retail trade were registered in Austria (-1.5%), Germany (-1.4%) and Sweden (-1.3%), and the highest increases in Portugal (+2.6%) and Latvia (+2.2%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 0.8% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in July 2014, compared with July 2013, is due to the rise of 1.5% for the non-food sector, while automotive fuel decreased by 2.9% and “Food, drinks and tobacco” by 0.2%. In the EU28, the 1.0% increase in retail trade is due to the rise of 2.4% for the non-food sector, while automotive fuel decreased by 3.0% and “Food, drinks and tobacco” by 0.2%.

The highest increases in total retail trade were observed in Luxembourg (+14.1%), Estonia (+9.2%) and Romania (+6.3%), and the largest decreases in Malta (-2.5%), Poland (-1.1%), Belgium and Austria (both -1.0%).