Retail trade sales in January increased 0.4% compared to December in the euro area and rose 0.6% in the wider zone of 27 nations. Retail sales index rose 0.7% from a year ago month in the euro area and 1.9% in the EU27.
The following is an unedited transcript of the news release from the Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, UK
In January 2011, compared with December 2010, the volume of retail trade rose by 0.4% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.6% in the EU27. In December 2010 retail trade fell by 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.
In January 2011, compared with January 2010, the retail sales index increased by 0.7% in the euro area and by 1.9% in the EU27.
Monthly changes
In January 2011, compared with December 2010, “Food, drinks and tobacco” gained 0.1% in the euro area, but fell by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector rose by 0.6% and 1.3% respectively.
Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade increased in nine and declined in nine. The highest increases were observed in Slovenia (+4.6%), Lithuania (+4.3%) and Bulgaria (+2.1%), and the largest decreases in Estonia (-4.2%), Latvia and Malta (both -1.7%).
Annual changes
In January 2011, compared with January 2010, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.8% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27. The non food sector increased by 1.5% and 4.2% respectively.
Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in nine and decreased in nine. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+13.1%), the United Kingdom (+5.6%) and France (+4.3%), and the largest decreases in Malta (-9.7%), Romania (-5.8%) and Portugal (-5.4%).
These first estimates come from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
