Volume of retail trade down by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU in February 2023

April 13, 2023

In February 2023, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.9%  in the EU, compared with January 2023, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In January 2023, the retail trade volume increased by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU.

In February 2023 compared with February 2022, the calendar adjusted retail sales index decreased by 3.0% in the euro area and by 3.1% in the EU.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

In the euro area in February 2023, compared with January 2023, the volume of retail trade decreased by 1.8% for automotive fuels, by 0.7% for non-food products and by 0.6% for food, drinks and tobacco. In the EU, the volume of retail trade decreased by 1.4% for automotive fuels, by 1.0% for non-food products and by 0.6% for food, drinks and tobacco.

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest monthly decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Slovenia (-10.5%), Hungary and Poland (both -2.0%) and Sweden (-1.6%). The highest increases were observed in Cyprus (+1.6%), Luxembourg (+0.8%) and Belgium (+0.7%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

In the euro area in February 2023, compared with February 2022, the volume of retail trade decreased by 4.9% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 1.8% for non-food products, while it grew by 1.1% for automotive fuels. In the EU, the retail trade volume decreased by 4.9% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 1.9% for non-food products, while it grew by 0.1% for automotive fuels.
Among Member States for which data are available, the largest yearly decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Hungary (-10.1%), Sweden (-8.5%) and Germany (-7.0%). The highest increases were observed in Cyprus (+8.3%), Luxembourg (+6.8%) and Spain (+4.7%).

Source: Eurostat
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