In August 2014 compared with July 2014, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 1.2% in the euro area (EA18) and by 1.4% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the
European Union. In July retail trade fell by 0.4% in both zones.

In August 2014 compared with August 2013 the retail sales index increased by 1.9% in the euro area and by 2.5% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 1.2% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in August 2014, compared with July 2014, is due to rises of 1.7% for automotive fuel, of 1.5% for the non-food sector and of 0.6% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”. In the EU28, the 1.4% increase in retail trade is due to rises of 2.1% for the non-food sector, of 1.4% for automotive fuel and of 0.3% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”.

The highest increases in total retail trade were registered in Germany and Luxembourg (both +2.5%), Portugal and Sweden (both +2.3%) and Poland (+2.2%), and the largest decreases in Romania and Slovakia (both -0.6%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 1.9% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in August 2014, compared with August 2013, is due to a rise of 3.6% for the non-food sector, while both “Food, drinks and tobacco” and automotive fuel fell by 0.2%. In the EU28, the 2.5% increase in retail trade is due to a rise of 4.9% for the non-food sector, while “Food, drinks and tobacco” remained stable and automotive fuel decreased by 0.5%.

Total retail trade rose in all Member States for which data are available, with the highest increases observed in Luxembourg (+12.5%), Estonia (+6.7%) and the United Kingdom (+5.6%).