In June 2014 compared with May 2014, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 0.4% in the euro area (EA18) and by 0.3% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In May retail trade increased by 0.3% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU28.

In June 2014 compared with June 2013 the retail sales index increased by 2.4% in the euro area and by 2.5% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 0.4% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in June 2014, compared with May 2014, is due to rises of 0.5% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.3% for the non-food sector, while automotive fuel fell by 0.1%. In the EU28, the 0.3% increase in retail trade is due to rises of 0.5% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, 0.3% for automotive fuel and 0.2% for the non-food sector.

The highest increases in total retail trade were registered in Germany (+1.3%), Austria (+1.1%), Poland (+1.0%) and Estonia (+0.9%), and the largest decreases in Finland (-1.8%), Portugal (-1.4%), Malta (-1.1%) and Spain (-0.8%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 2.4% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in June 2014, compared with June 2013, is due to rises of 3.0% for the non-food sector and of 2.0% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while automotive fuel decreased by 0.8%. In the EU28, the 2.5% increase in retail trade is due to rises of 3.5% for the non-food sector and of 1.8% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while automotive fuel decreased by 0.5%.

The highest increases in total retail trade were observed in Luxembourg (+12.9%), Romania (+10.0%), Estonia (+7.8%) and France (+4.9%), and the largest decreases in Slovenia (-2.6%), Finland and Malta (both -1.5%).