Retail trade volume up by 4.6% in both the euro area and the EU

Eurostat estimates that in May 2021, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 4.6% in both the euro area and the EU, compared with April 2021

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In May 2021, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 4.6% in both the euro area and the EU, compared with April 2021, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In April 2021, the retail trade volume decreased by 3.9% in the euro area and by 3.6% in the EU.

In May 2021 compared with May 2020, the calendar adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 9.0% in the euro area and by 9.2% in the EU.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State

In the euro area in May 2021, compared with April 2021, the volume of retail trade increased by 8.8% for non-food products and by 8.1% for automotive fuels, while it decreased by 0.2% for food, drinks and tobacco.

In the EU the volume of retail trade increased by 8.5% for non-food products and by 6.8% for automotive fuels, while it decreased by 0.3% for food, drinks and tobacco.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest monthly increases in total retail trade were registered in France (+9.9%), the Netherlands (+9.3%) and Estonia (+8.1%). Decreases were observed in Latvia (-3.9%), Finland (-3.3%) and Luxembourg (-0.7%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State

In the euro area in May 2021, compared with May 2020, the volume of retail trade increased by 28.4% for automotive fuels, by 14.8% for non-food products and by 0.1% for food, drinks and tobacco.

In the EU, the volume of retail trade increased by 25.0% for automotive fuels, by 15.0% for non-food products and by 0.3% for food, drinks and tobacco.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest annual increases in total retail trade were registered in Bulgaria (+23.9%), Ireland (+22.4%) and Malta (+22.0%). The only decrease was registered in Germany (-0.9%).

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