Brussels, 04/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - In July 2008, compared with June 2008, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.4% in the euro area (EA15), but rose by 0.1% in the EU27. In June retail trade dropped by 0.9% and 1.2% respectively. Figures published by Eurostat on Wednesday 3 September indicated that in July 2008, compared with July 2007, the retail sales index decreased by 2.8% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU27.
Compared with June 2008, “food, drinks and tobacco” decreased by 0.9% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU27. The non food sector fell by 0.1% in the euro area, but rose by 0.3% in the EU27. Retail trade rose in eight member states, including Portugal (+3.5%) and Lithuania (+3.2%), and fell in nine member states, particularly in Luxembourg (-3.7%) and Germany (-1.5%). Retail trade figures remained stable in the United Kingdom.
In annual terms, July 2008 saw retail trade in “food, drinks and tobacco” fall by 3.4% in the euro area and by 2.0% in the EU27. Trade in the non food sector declined by 2.2% and 0.2% respectively. Total retail trade rose in 11 member states and fell in seven. The highest increases were observed in Romania (+18.4%), Slovakia (+6.8%) and Poland (+6.6%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-8.5%), Luxembourg and Spain (both -5.9%). (A.B./transl.rh)