In August 2008, compared with July 2008, the volume of retail trade rose by 0.3% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.4% in the EU27. In July retail trade increased by 0.1% and 0.3% respectively. In August 2008, compared with August 2007, the retail sales index fell by 1.8% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In August 2008, compared with July 2008, “food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector grew by 0.1% and 0.4% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in ten, fell in seven and remained unchanged in Denmark. The highest increases were observed in Luxembourg (+6.8%), Germany (+3.1%), Slovenia and Finland (both +1.4%), and the largest decreases in Lithuania (-2.5%), Latvia (-1.2%) and Austria
(-0.8%).

Annual changes

In August 2008, compared with August 2007, retail trade of "food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 2.0% in the euro area and by 1.8% in the EU27. The non food sector declined by 1.6% in the euro area, but rose by 1.0% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in eleven and fell in seven. The highest increases were observed in Romania (+17.3%), Slovenia (+6.9%) and Poland (+6.2%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-8.9%), Estonia (-6.7%) and Spain (-5.8%).