In March 2013 compared with February 2013, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.1% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.2% in the EU27, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February retail trade decreased by 0.2% in the euro area, but rose by 0.1% in the EU27. In March 2013, compared with March 2012, the retail sales index dropped by 2.4% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

In March 2013, compared with February 2013, “Food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.8% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.5% and 0.6% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in nine, rose in eleven and remained stable in Austria. The largest decreases were registered in Portugal (-3.0%), Slovenia (-2.6%) and Ireland (-1.9%), and the highest increases in Estonia (+2.7%), Latvia (+2.1%) and Finland (+1.3%).

Annual comparison

In March 2013, compared with March 2012, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.2% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU27. The non food sector dropped by 3.3% and 2.0% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade fell in fourteen and rose in seven. The largest decreases were observed in Spain (-10.5%), Slovenia (-7.7%) and Portugal (-5.9%), and the highest increases in Latvia (+8.8%), Lithuania (+4.5%) and Sweden (+3.0%).