These first estimates come from Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.


In February 2008, compared with January 2008, the volume of retail trade1 fell by 0.5% in the euro area EA15, but grew by 0.3% in the EU272. In January3 retail trade rose by 0.5% and 0.6% respectively. In February 2008, compared with February 2007, the retail sales index fell by 0.2% in the euro area, but rose by 2.0% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In February 2008, compared with January 2008, “food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.2% in the euro area, but increased by 0.5% in the EU27. The non food sector fell by 0.8% and 0.1% respectively. Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in thirteen Member States and fell in three. The highest increases were observed in Estonia and Luxembourg (both +3.2%), Belgium (+3.1%) and Finland (+2.8%), and the largest decreases in Germany (-1.6%) and Poland (-0.3%).

Annual changes

In February 2008, compared with February 2007, retail trade of “food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.9% in the euro area, but rose by 0.8% in the EU27. The non food sector fell by 0.4% in the euro area, but grew by 2.4% in the EU27. Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in fourteen Member States, and fell only in Germany (-3.1%) and Spain (-2.6%). The highest increases were observed in Slovakia (+16.6%), Lithuania (+15.1%), Bulgaria (+11.7%) and Finland (+7.0%).


Available at:

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2008_MONTH_04/4-03042008-EN-AP.PDF