The seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased 0.2% in the euro area (EA19) in July 2018 compared to the previous month, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
A 0.7% decrease in sales of automotive fuel, and a 0.6% drop in the sales of food, drinks and tobacco category are cited as the main reasons behind the decline.
The volume of retail trade remained unchanged in the EU28 for the same period.
It has been driven mainly by a 0.5% increase in the sales of non-food products.
In June of this year, retail trade volume increased by 0.3% in the euro area but did not change in the EU28.
According to data of member states available with Eurostat, Belgium (-2.1%), Portugal and Sweden (both -1.0%) recorded the highest drop in total retail trade volume.
The highest increase was registered in Slovakia (+1.1%) and Estonia (+1.1%) as well as the United Kingdom (+0.8%).
Annual Estimates
The calendar-adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.1% in the euro area and by 2.0% in the EU28 in July 2018 compared to the same month the previous year.
This growth has been driven by increased sales in food, drinks and tobacco segment (+1.4%), automotive fuels (+1.3%), and non-food products (+0.9%).
The 2.0% growth in the EU28, has been propelled by increased sales of automotive fuel (+2.1%), non-food products (+1.9%), and food, drinks and tobacco (+1.8%).
Data available for member states reveal that the highest yearly increase in the total retail trade volume was registered in Poland (+7.7%), Lithuania (+7.2%) and Ireland (+6.6%).
The largest drop in retail trade volume was observed in Malta (-2.6%), Sweden (-1.1%), and Austria (-1.0%).
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
