Euro Area, EU See Growth In Retail Trade Volume In August: Eurostat

The seasonally-adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 4.4% in the euro area and by 3.8% in the EU in August 2020, compared to the previous month, according to the latest data from Eurostat.

August also marked some relaxation of COVID-19 containment measures in many member states across Europe, the study noted.

In July of this year, the retail trade volume fell by 1.8% in the euro area and by 1.2% in the EU, Eurostat added.

On a year-on-year basis, the calendar-adjusted retail sales index increased by 3.7% in the euro area and by 3.5% in the EU in August 2020.

Monthly Comparison

In the euro area, the month-on-month retail trade volume in August increased by 6.1% for non-food products, 2.4% for food, drinks and tobacco, and 2.1% for automotive fuels.

Within the non-food category, mail orders and online trade saw a 12.4% growth, data showed.

In the EU, the volume of retail trade increased by 5.1% for non-food products (mail orders and internet +10.5%), by 2.2% for food, drinks and tobacco, and by 2.1% for automotive fuels.

Belgium (+9.6%), France (+6.2%) and Germany (+3.1%) registered the highest increase in the total retail trade volume in this period among member states for which data was available.

Romania and Slovenia (both -1.6%) and Portugal (-1.4%) saw the steepest decline.

Annual Comparison

The year-on-year volume of retail trade increased by 5.9% for non-food products in August 2020, with mail orders and internet trade witnessing 23.8% growth.

However, the volume of retail trade for textiles, clothing and footwear decreased by 14.1%.

Food, drinks and tobacco saw a 2.6% growth, while automotive fuel decreased by 4.8% in this period.

Among member states for which data was available, Belgium (+12.9%), Ireland (+9.8%) and the Netherlands (+8.3%) reported the highest growth, while the largest decline was seen in Bulgaria (-12.2%), Malta (-7.5%) and Slovenia (-6.6%).