OREANDA-NEWS. In December 2015 compared with November 2015, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 0.3% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.1% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November retail trade remained stable in the euro area and rose by 0.3% in the EU28.

In December 2015 compared with December 2014 the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.4% in the euro area and by 2.0% in the EU28.

The average retail trade for the year 2015, compared with 2014, rose by 2.4% in the euro area and by 3.0% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 0.3% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in December 2015, compared with November 2015, is due to rises of 0.6% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.2% for non-food products, while automotive fuel fell by 0.1%. In the EU28, the 0.1% increase in the volume of retail trade is due to rise of 0.8% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while non-food products and automotive fuel both fell by 0.4%. Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in total retail trade were registered in Estonia (+2.1%), France (+1.3%) and Luxembourg (+1.1%), and the largest decreases in Portugal (-1.8%), Sweden (-1.7%) and Denmark (-1.4%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

The 1.4% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in December 2015, compared with December 2014, is due to rises of 1.8% for non-food products and of 0.8% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while automotive fuel fell by 0.8%. In the EU28, the 2.0% increase in retail trade volume is due to rises of 2.3% for non-food products, of 1.5% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.1% for automotive fuel. Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in total retail trade were observed in Romania (+14.3%), Ireland (+6.1%), Estonia (+5.8%) and Poland (+5.5%), while decreases were observed in Portugal (-1.3%), Belgium (-1.2%) and Denmark (-0.3%).