News

In March 2009, compared with February 2009, the volume of retail trade decreased by 0.6% in the eurozone and by 0.3% in the EU. In February, retail trade fell by 0.3% and 0.8%, respectively. In March 2009, compared with March 2008, the retail sales index decreased by 4.2% in the eurozone and by 3.1% in the EU. These initial estimates were published by Eurostat, on 6 May.

In March 2009, compared with February 2009, the food, drinks and tobacco sector fell by 1.4% in the eurozone and by 0.8% in the EU. The non-food sector remained unchanged in the eurozone and rose by 0.2% in the EU.

Among the member states for which data are available, total retail trade fell in ten, rose in six and remained unchanged in Denmark and Romania. The largest decreases were observed in Lithuania (-4.3%), Poland (-3.3%), Latvia (-2.6%), Portugal (-1.5%) and Germany (-1%), and the highest increases in Slovenia (+6.8%), France (+1.1%), Estonia, Austria and the United Kingdom (all +1%).

In March 2009, compared with March 2008, the food, drinks and tobacco sector dropped by 5.2% in the eurozone and by 3.7% in the EU. The non-food sector fell by 1.9% and 1.6%, respectively.

Among the member states for which data are available, total retail trade fell in fifteen and rose only in Belgium (+2.1%), Austria (+2%) and the United Kingdom (+0.8%). The largest decreases were observed in Latvia (-27.3%), Lithuania (-21.1%) and Estonia (-16.6%)