Brussels, 05/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - According to statistics published on Wednesday 4 February by Eurostat, in December 2008, compared with November 2008, the volume of retail trade1 remained stable in both the euro area and the EU272. In November retail trade fell by 0.1% in both zones. In December 20084, compared with December 2007, the retail sales index decreased by 1.6% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27.
Monthly variations show that retail trade of “food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.2% in the euro area, but fell by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.4% in the euro area, but rose by 0.1% in the EU27. Total retail trade rose in four, fell in twelve and remained stable in Bulgaria and the United Kingdom. The highest increases were observed in Luxembourg (+4.0%) and Slovakia (+1.3%), and the largest decreases in Slovenia (-9.0%), Portugal (-6.9%) and Latvia (-4.0%). In December 2008, compared with December 2007, retail trade of “food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.0% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27. The non food sector declined by 2.0% and 0.4% respectively. Total retail trade rose in four member states and fell in fourteen. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+4.6%) and Slovakia (+3.2%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-16.9%), Estonia (-13.2%) and Denmark (-9.0%). (A.B./trans/rh)