The seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade in June saw month-on-month growth of 5.7% in the euro area and 5.2% in the EU, as restrictions imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 were lifted, according to the latest data from Eurostat.
The calendar-adjusted retail sales index for June 2020 increased by 1.3% in both the euro area and EU compared to the same period last year.
In May of this year, retail trade volume increased by 20.3% in the euro area and by 18.3% in the EU.
Eurostat also pointed out that retail trade volumes in both zones returned to the levels recorded in February 2020, before containment measures were introduced.
Monthly Comparison
In the euro area, the month-on-month volume of retail trade increased by 20.4% for automotive fuels and 12.1% for non-food products. while food, drinks and tobacco saw a decline of 2.7%.
In the EU, the volume of retail trade increased by 16.9% for automotive fuels and 10.6% for non-food products, while food, drinks and tobacco declined by 2.2%.
Ireland (+21.9%), Spain (+16.5%) and Italy (+13.8%) recorded the highest growth in total retail trade volume among member states for which data was available, Eurostat said.
The highest decrease was seen in Austria (-2.5%) and Germany (-1.6%).
Annual Comparison
In June 2020, the volume of retail trade in the euro area increased by 3.9% for non-food items and 1.2% for food, drinks and tobacco compared to the same period in 2019.
Automotive fuel reported a 13.6% year-on-year decline in retail trade volume, data showed.
In the EU, retail trade volume for the period increased by 4.2% for non-food products and 0.7% for food, drinks and tobacco, while automotive fuel saw a 12.7% decline compared to June 2019.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
