In January 2009, compared with December 2008, the volume of retail trade rose by 0.1% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.6% in the EU27. In December retail trade fell by 0.3% and 0.2% respectively.

In January 2009, compared with January 2008, the retail sales index decreased by 2.2% in the euro area and by 1.2% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In January 2009, compared with December 2008, "Food, drinks and tobacco" dropped by 0.3% in the euro area, but rose by 1.2% in the EU27. The non food sector grew by 0.4% in both zones.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in eleven and fell in five. The highest increases were observed in Romania (+13.3%), Portugal (+4.1%) and Finland (+3.0%), and the largest decreases in Lithuania (-11.9%), Latvia (-8.5%) and Slovakia (-4.9%).

Annual changes

In January 2009, compared with January 2008, "Food, drinks and tobacco" dropped by 2.4% in the euro area and by 1.5% in the EU27. The non food sector fell by 2.2% and 0.8% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in six and fell in ten. The highest increases were observed in the United Kindom (+2.9%), Poland and Sweden (both +1.9%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-19.8%), Lithuania (-15.2%) and Estonia (-12.9%).