04/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Rise in retail sales both in eurozone and throughout EU in May. According to first estimates published by Eurostat on 4 July, the volume of retail trade rose by 0.6% in both the euro area and the EU27 in May 2012, compared with the previous month. The highest increases were registered in Austria (3.1%) and Portugal (2.9%). Falls were observed in Poland (1.3%), Slovenia (1.0%), Bulgaria and Germany (both 0.3%). In April, retail trade fell by 1.4% in both the eurozone and the EU27. May 2012 compared with May 2011 saw the retail sales index drop by 1.7% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27. (OL/transl.rt)