In September 2012 compared with August 2012, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.2% in the euro area (EA17) and rose by 0.1% in the EU27. In August retail trade increased by 0.2% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27. These first estimates come from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

In September 2012, compared with September 2011, the retail sales index fell by 0.8% in the euro area and increased by 0.3% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

In September 2012, compared with August 2012, “Food, drinks and tobacco” increased by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU27. The non-food sector fell by 0.6% in the euro area and rose by 0.1% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in twelve and fell in eight. The highest increases were registered in Denmark (+2.4%), Estonia (+2.0%) and Germany (+1.5%), and the largest decreases in Spain (-7.3%), Portugal (-4.0%) and Slovenia (-2.7%).

Annual comparison

In September 2012, compared with September 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU27. The non-food sector remained stable in the euro area and rose by 2.0% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in thirteen, fell in seven and remained stable in Germany. The highest increases were observed in Estonia (+9.9%), Latvia (+7.9%) and Luxembourg (+7.1%), and the largest decreases in Spain (-12.6%), Portugal (-5.8%) and Slovenia (-4.5%).