In May 2012 compared with April 2012, the volume of retail trade rose by 0.6% in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU272. In April retail trade fell by 1.4% in both zones. In May 2012, compared with May 2011, the retail sales index dropped by 1.7% in the euro area and by 0.3% in
the EU27.

Monthly comparison

In May 2012, compared with April 2012, “Food, drinks and tobacco” increased by 0.2% in both the euro area and the EU27. The non food sector rose by 1.0% and 0.9% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in sixteen, remained unchanged in Denmark and fell in four. The highest increases were registered in Austria (+3.1%), Portugal (+2.9%), Latvia (+2.1%), Finland (+1.9%) and Ireland (+1.7%). The decreases were observed in Poland (-1.3%), Slovenia (-1.0%), Bulgaria and Germany (both -0.3%).

Annual comparison

In May 2012, compared with May 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” decreased by 1.1% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU27. The non food sector fell by 1.5% in the euro area, but rose by 0.5% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in twelve and fell in nine. The highest increases were observed in Estonia (+10.4%), Latvia (+7.4%) and Romania (+5.9%) and the largest decreases in Malta (-7.3%), Portugal (-5.1%) and Spain (-4.8%).