Eurozone retail sales fell sharply in December

According to the report from Eurostat, in December 2019 compared with November 2019, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased by 1.6% in the euro area (EA19) and by 1.3% in the EU27. Economists had expected a 0.9% decrease. In November 2019, the retail trade volume increased by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU27.

In December 2019 compared with December 2018, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.3% in the euro area and by 1.9% in the EU27.

The average retail trade for the year 2019, compared with 2018, rose by 2.2% in the euro area and by 2.4% in EU27.

In the euro area in December 2019, compared with November 2019, the volume of retail trade decreased by 1.6% for non-food products and by 1.4% for food, drinks and tobacco and automotive fuels. In the EU27, the volume of retail trade decreased by 1.6% for non-food products, by 1.3% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 0.9% for automotive fuels.

In the euro area in December 2019, compared with December 2018, the volume of retail trade increased by 3.6% for non-food products while food, drinks and tobacco decreased by 0.7% and automotive fuel by 3.7%. In the EU27, the retail trade volume increased by 4.0% for non-food products while food, drinks and tobacco decreased by 0.3% and automotive fuel by 2.6%.