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


In January 2008, compared with December 2007, the volume of retail trade1 grew by 0.4% in the euro area EA15 and by 0.6% in the EU27. In December 20073 retail trade fell by 0.1% and 0.2% respectively. In January 20084, compared with January 2007, the retail sales index decreased by 0.1% in the euro area, but rose by 1.8% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In January 2008, compared with December 2007, “food, drinks and tobacco” grew by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU27. The non food sector gained 0.4% and 0.6% respectively. Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in twelve and fell in four. The highest increases were observed in Belgium (+9.5%), Lithuania (+7.4%) and Portugal (+4.1%), and the largest decreases in Latvia (-1.5%) and Spain (-1.1%).

Annual changes

In January 2008, compared with January 2007, retail trade of “food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.0% in the euro area, but rose by 0.2% in the EU27. The non food sector grew by 0.4% and 2.8% respectively. Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in twelve, decreased in three and remained unchanged in Denmark. The highest increases were observed in Slovakia (+15.6%), Bulgaria (+14.8%), Lithuania (+14.5%) and Poland (+8.3%), and the largest decrease in Spain (-2.4%).


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_03/4-05032008-EN-AP.PDF