In May 2014 compared with April 2014, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade remained stable in the euro area (EA18) and fell by 0.1% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In April retail trade decreased by 0.2% in the euro area and rose by 0.2% in the EU28. In May 2014 compared with May 2013 the retail sales index increased by 0.7% in the euro area and by 1.2% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The stable volume of retail trade in the euro area in May 2014, compared with April 2014, is due to a rise of 0.3% for the non-food sector, while automotive fuel remained unchanged and “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.3%. In the EU28, the 0.1% decrease in retail trade is due to a rise of 0.2% for the non-food sector, while automotive fuel remained unchanged and “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.7%.

The highest increases in total retail trade were registered in Portugal (+2.9%), Romania (+1.9%) and Malta (+1.6%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-3.0%), Slovenia (-2.9%) and Estonia (-1.5%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 0.7% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in May 2014, compared with May 2013, is due to rises of 1.0% for the non-food sector, of 0.8% for automotive fuel and of 0.3% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”. In the EU28, the 1.2% increase in retail trade is due to rises of 2.1% for the non-food sector and of 0.4% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while automotive fuel remained stable.

The highest increases in total retail trade were observed in Luxembourg (+16.7%), Romania (+10.3%), Hungary (+5.0%), Lithuania (+4.6%) and Estonia (+4.2%), while decreases were registered in Slovenia (-2.4%), Austria and Poland (both -2.0%), Germany and Finland (both -0.6%).