Brussels, 06/08/2009 (Agence Europe) - In June 2009, compared with May 2009, the volume of retail trade1 fell by 0.2% in the euro area but increased by 0.1% in the EU27. In May retail trade declined by 0.5% and by 0.6% respectively. In June 20094, compared with June 2008, the retail sales index decreased by 2.4% in the euro area and by 1.7% in the EU27.
In June 2009, compared with May 2009, “Food, drinks and tobacco” decreased by 0.2% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.2% in the euro area, but increased by 0.3% in the EU27. Among the Member States, total retail trade rose in seven and fell in ten. The highest increases were observed in Slovenia (+1.7%), Estonia (+1.4%) and the United Kingdom (+1.3%) and the largest decreases in Latvia (-5.1%), Romania (-3.8%) and Germany (-1.8%).
In June 2009, compared with June 2008, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.3% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27. The non food sector declined by 2.5% and 1.3% respectively. Among Member States total retail trade fell in thirteen and rose only in Austria (+2.7%), the United Kingdom (+1.8%), Sweden (+1.2%) and Poland (+0.6%). The largest decreases were observed in Latvia (-29.1%), Lithuania (-19.9%) and Romania (-17.8%). (A.B./trans/rh)