Retail trade increases

In April 2018 compared with March 2018, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 0.1% in the euro area (EA19), and by 0.4% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

In March, the retail trade volume increased by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU28. In Cyprus the same index increased by 0.4% in March 2018 compared to February 2018 (latest available data). Compared to March 2017, retail trade rose by 8,7%.

In April 2018 compared with April 2017 the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.7% both in the euro area and in the EU28.

According to Eurostat, the 0.1% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in April 2018, compared with March 2018, is due to a rise of 1.7% in non-food products, while "food, drinks and tobacco" fell by 0.7% and automotive fuels by 0.8%. In the EU28, the 0.4% increase in the volume of retail trade is due to increases in non-food products by 1.5%, and in automotive fuel by 0.6%, while "food, drinks and tobacco" fell by 0.5%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Germany (+2.3%) and Romania (+1.7%). Ireland, Lithuania and the United Kingdom all increased by 1.5%. The largest decreases were observed in Portugal (-4.1%), Slovenia (-2.0%) and Estonia (-1.8%).

The 1.7% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in April 2018, compared with April 2017, is due to a rise of 3.2% for non-food products and by 0.4% for "food, drinks and tobacco", while automotive fuel fell by 0.7%. In the EU28, the 1.7% increase in retail trade volume is due to rises of 3.4% for non-food products and of 1.3% for automotive fuel, while "food, drinks and tobacco" fell by 0.3%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest yearly increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Romania (+7.4%), Poland (+6.6%) and Lithuania (+6.5%). The largest decreases were observed in Malta (-3.1%), Belgium (-1.5%), and Slovenia (-1.4%)