In November 2007, compared with October 2007, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.5% in the euro area (EA13) and by 0.2% in the EU27. In October retail trade fell by 0.7% and 0.4% respectively.

In November 2007, compared with November 2006, the retail sales index fell by 1.4% in the euro area, but rose by 0.9% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In November 2007, compared with October 2007, “food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.6% and 0.2% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in nine Member States and fell in seven. The largest increases were observed in Luxembourg (+13.5%), Latvia (+1.6%) and Finland (+0.9%), and the highest decreases in Belgium (-1.1%), Portugal (-1.0%) and Slovenia (-0.8%).

Annual changes

In November 2007, compared to November 2006, retail trade of “food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.1% in the euro area, but remained unchanged in the EU27. The non food sector fell by 1.7% in the euro area, but rose by 1.3% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in twelve Member States and fell in four. The largest increases were observed in Poland (+13.1%), Latvia (+12.3%), Lithuania (+9.3%) and Sweden (+5.6%), and the highest decreases in Belgium (-5.3%) and Denmark (-0.8%).