In July 2022 compared with July 2021, the calendar adjusted retail sales index decreased by 0.9 per cent in the euro area and by 0.5 per cent in the EU, Eurostat said in a media release.

In July 2022, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 0.3 per cent in both the euro area and in the European Union (EU), compared with June 2022, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU. In June 2022, the retail trade volume had decreased by 1 per cent in both the euro area and in the EU.

In the euro area in July 2022, compared with June 2022, the volume of retail trade increased by 0.4 per cent for automotive fuels and by 0.1 per cent for food, drinks and tobacco, while it decreased by 0.4 per cent for non-food products. Compared with July 2021, the volume of retail trade decreased by 2.4 per cent for food, drinks and tobacco and by 0.9 per cent for non-food products, while it increased by 0.6 per cent for automotive fuels.

In the EU, compared to June 2022, the volume of retail trade increased by 0.3 per cent for automotive fuels, while it decreased by 0.2 per cent for non-food products and by 0.1 per cent for food, drinks and tobacco in July this year. In comparison with July 2021, the retail trade volume decreased by 2 per cent for food, drinks and tobacco and by 0.7 per cent for non-food products, while it increased by 1.3 per cent for automotive fuels.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest monthly increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Germany (+1.9 per cent), the Netherlands (+1.7 per cent), Luxembourg and Poland (both +1.5 per cent). The largest decreases were observed in Austria (-1.8 per cent), Finland (-1.7 per cent) and Spain (-1 per cent).

The largest yearly decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Denmark (-7.7 per cent), Luxembourg (-6.3 per cent) and Ireland (-5.6 per cent). The highest increases were observed in Slovenia (+25 per cent), Malta (+9 per cent) and Poland (+7.6 per cent).

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)