In July 2013 compared with June 2013, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 0.1% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.2% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the
European Union. In June retail trade fell by 0.7% and 0.5% respectively.

In July 2013, compared with July 2012, the retail sales index dropped by 1.3% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison

In July 2013, compared with June 2013, “Food, drinks and tobacco” increased by 1.0% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU28.The non-food sector dropped by 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in twelve, fell in eight and remained stable in Spain and Lithuania. The highest increases were registered in Latvia and Romania (both +2.1%) and France (+2.0%), and the largest decreases in Slovenia (-3.4%), Germany (-1.4%) and Sweden (-1.3%).

Annual comparison

In July 2013, compared with July 2012, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.6% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU28.The non-food sector decreased by 1.6% and 0.1% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in eight and rose in fourteen. The largest decreases were observed in Slovenia (-6.4%), Spain (-5.5%) and Portugal (-2.2%), and the highest
increases in Luxembourg (+17.7%), Malta (+6.0%) and Lithuania(+5.9%).