Brussels, 07/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - In November 2009, compared with October 2009, the volume of retail trade fell by 1.2% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27. In October retail trade rose by 0.2% and 0.5% respectively. In November 2009, compared with November 2008, the retail sales index decreased by 4.0% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU27.
In November 2009, compared with October 2009, “Food, drinks and tobacco” declined by 0.4% in both zones. The non food sector fell by 1.6% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU27. Among member states, total retail trade fell in 15 and rose only in Poland (+1.0%) and the United Kingdom (+0.2%). The largest decreases were observed in Lithuania (-4.8%), Estonia (-3.1%) and Latvia (-2.3%).
In November 2009, compared with November 2008, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 2.9% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU27. The non food sector dropped by 4.2% and by 1.7% respectively. Total retail trade fell in 12 member states, rose in four and remained stable in Finland. The largest decreases were observed in Latvia (-30.2%), Lithuania (-27.8%) and Estonia (-21.2%), and the highest increases in Poland (+4.6%) and Belgium (+3.7%). (A.B./transl.fl)