Brussels, 04/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - In May 2007, compared to May 2006, the volume of retail trade grew by 0.4% in the Euro area and by 1.8% in the EU27. Compared to April 2007, the retail sales index fell by 0.5% and 0.1% respectively. Among the member states for which data are available, total retail trade rose in eleven member states and fell in six. The largest increases were observed in Latvia (+24.3%), Lithuania (+16.5%), Estonia (+15.2%) and Slovakia (+9.9%), and the highest decreases in Luxembourg (-9.9%), Denmark (-2.2%) and Germany (-1.9%). In monthly terms “food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.3% in the Euro area but rose by 0.1% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.6% and 0.2% respectively. (ab)