Volume of retail trade up by 2.7% in March

In March 2021, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 2.7% in the euro area and by 2.6% in the EU, compared with February 2021, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February 2021, the retail trade volume increased by 4.2% in the euro area and by 3.8% in the EU. In March 2021 compared with March 2020, the calendar adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 12.0% in the euro area and by 11.6% in the EU.

In the euro area in March 2021, compared with February 2021, the volume of retail trade increased by 4.6% for non-food products and by 1.0% for food, drinks and tobacco, while it decreased by 2.9% for automotive fuels. In the EU the volume of retail trade increased by 4.2% for non-food products and by 0.8% for food, drinks and tobacco, while it decreased by 2.3% for automotive fuels. Among Member States for which data are available, the highest monthly increases in total retail trade were registered in Denmark (+22.5%), the Netherlands (+8.4%), Germany and Lithuania (both +7.7%). The largest decreases were observed in Croatia (-4.0%), Poland (-2.2%) and Austria (-1.9%).

In the euro area in March 2021, compared with March 2020, the volume of retail trade increased by 25.0% for nonfood products (within this category mail orders and internet increased by 37.2%), and by 17.1% for automotive fuels, while it decreased by 1.1% for food, drinks and tobacco. In the EU, the volume of retail trade increased by 23.6% for non-food products (mail orders and internet increased by 37.4%) and by 14.1% for automotive fuels, while it decreased by 1.2% for food, drinks and tobacco. Among Member States for which data are available, the highest annual increases in total retail trade volume were registered in Slovenia (+24.0%), Denmark (+22.6%) and France (+21.3%). Decreases were observed in Hungary (-2.1%), Portugal (-1.1%) and Malta (-0.1%).