The average volume of retail trade index for 2008, compared with 2007, fell by 1.4% in the euro area, but increased by 0.1% in the EU27.
Monthly changes
In December 2008, compared with November 2008, retail trade of "food, drinks and tobacco" rose by 0.2% in the euro area, but fell by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.4% in the euro area, but rose by 0.1% in the EU27.
Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in four, fell in twelve and remained stable in Bulgaria and the United Kingdom. The highest increases were observed in Luxembourg (+4.0%) and Slovakia (+1.3%), and the largest decreases in Slovenia (-9.0%), Portugal (-6.9%) and Latvia (-4.0%).
Annual changes
In December 2008, compared with December 2007, retail trade of "food, drinks and tobacco" fell by 1.0% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27. The non food sector declined by 2.0% and 0.4% respectively.
Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in four and fell in fourteen. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+4.6%) and Slovakia (+3.2%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-16.9%), Estonia (-13.2%) and Denmark (-9.0%).
