OREANDA-NEWS. In August 2016 compared with July 2016, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade fell by 0.1% in both the euro area (EA19) and the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In July the retail trade volume increased by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU28.

In August 2016 compared with August 2015, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 0.6% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 0.1% decrease in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in August 2016, compared with July 2016, is due to falls of 0.4% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.1% for the non-food products, while automotive fuel rose by 0.2%. In the EU28, the 0.1% decrease in the volume of retail trade is due to falls of 0.2% for both “Food, drinks and tobacco” and non-food products, while automotive fuel rose by 0.2%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in total retail trade were observed in Estonia, Poland and Finland (all -0.6%), while the highest increases were registered in Luxembourg (+3.6%), Ireland (+1.5%) and Slovakia (+1.0%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 0.6% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in August 2016, compared with August 2015, is due to rises of 1.3% for the non-food products, of 1.2% for automotive fuel and of 0.1% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”. In the EU28, the 2.1% increase in retail trade volume is due to rises of 2.9% for both the non-food products and for automotive fuel and of 1.0% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in total retail trade were observed in Luxembourg (+12.6%), Romania (+11.7%) and Poland (+10.8%), while decreases were observed in France (-1.5%) and Denmark (-0.8%)