Brussels, 05/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - In August 2009 compared with July 2009, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.2% in the eurozone and by 0.3% in the EU27. In July 2009, retail trade fell by 0.2% in the eurozone but remained stable in the EU27. In August 2009 compared with August 2008, the retail sales index fell by 2.6% in the eurozone and by 1.8% in the EU27.
In August 2009 compared with July 2009, “Food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.5% in the eurozone and by 0.3% in the EU27. The non-food sector fell by 0.6% in both zones. Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in four and fell in thirteen. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+1.5%) and Spain (+1.4%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-3.3%), Sweden (-2.7%), Lithuania (-2.3%) and Austria (-2.0%).
In August 2009 compared with August 2008, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.3% in the eurozone and by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector declined by 3.2% and 2.1% respectively. Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in four and fell in thirteen. The highest increases were observed in Poland (+6.8%) and Austria (+1.3%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-30.3%), Estonia (-20.6%), Lithuania (-20.3%) and Slovenia (-13.2%). (A.B. trans fl)