In January 2012 compared with December 2011, the volume of retail trade grew by 0.3% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.4% in the EU27. In December retail trade decreased by 0.5% and 0.2% respectively. In January 2012, compared with January 2011, the retail sales index remained stable in the euro area and rose by 0.7% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

In January 2012, compared with December 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU27. The non food sector increased by 0.5% and 0.9% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade grew in nine and fell in nine. The highest increases were observed in Latvia (+6.4%), Slovenia (+5.5%) and Romania (+3.0%), and the largest decreases in Portugal (-2.7%), Denmark (-2.1%) and Germany (-1.6%).

Annual comparison

In January 2012, compared with January 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.9% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU27. The non food sector increased by 1.1% and 2.1% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in eleven and fell in seven. The highest increases were observed in Lithuania (+17.0%), Latvia (+16.6%) and Romania (+10.2%), and the largest decreases in Portugal (-8.7%), Malta (-5.7%) and Bulgaria (-2.6%).