In March 2014 compared with February 2014, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 0.3% in both the euro area (EA18) and the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February retail trade increased by 0.1% and 0.3% respectively.

In March 2014 compared with March 20134 the retail sales index increased by 0.9% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 0.3% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in March 2014, compared with February 2014, is due to a rise of 1.3% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while the non-food sector fell by 0.3% and automotive fuel by 0.1%. In the EU28, the 0.3% increase in retail trade is due to rises of 1.0% for automotive fuel and of 0.7% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while the non-food sector fell by 0.1%.

The highest increases in total retail trade were registered in Estonia and Latvia (both +2.8%), France (+2.3%) and Romania (+2.2%), and the largest decreases in Portugal (-1.7%), Austria (-0.9%), Germany, Ireland and Slovenia (all -0.7%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 0.9% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in March 2014, compared with March 2013, is due to rises of 1.9% for the non-food sector, of 0.8% for automotive fuel and of 0.3% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”. In the EU28, the 1.6% increase in retail trade is due to rises of 3.3% for the non-food sector and of 1.8% for automotive fuel, while “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.1%.

The highest increases in total retail trade were observed in Romania (+13.4%), Luxembourg (+12.1%) and Hungary (+8.4%). Decreases were registered in Malta (-2.0%), Finland (-1.3%), Slovenia (-1.1%) and Spain (-0.6%).