Eurozone retail sales fell less than forecast in April

According to the report from Eurostat, in April 2020, the COVID-19 containment measures widely introduced by Member States again had a significant impact on retail trade, as the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased by 11.7% in the euro area and by 11.1% in the EU, compared with March 2020. Economists had expected a 15% decrease in the euro area. In March 2020, the retail trade volume decreased by 11.1% in the euro area and by 10.1% in the EU. In April 2020 compared with April 2019, the calendar adjusted retail sales index decreased by 19.6% in the euro area and by 18.0% in the EU.

In the euro area in April 2020, compared with March 2020, the volume of retail trade decreased by 27.7% for automotive fuels, by 17.0% for non-food products and by 5.5% for food, drinks and tobacco. In the EU, the volume of retail trade decreased by 25.0% for automotive fuels, by 14.7% for non-food products and by 5.9% for food, drinks and tobacco. It can be noted that the volume of retail trade by mail order and internet rose by 10.9% in the euro area and by 11.9% in the EU.

In the euro area in April 2020, compared with April 2019, the volume of retail trade decreased by 46.9% for automotive fuels and by 33.6% for non-food products while food, drinks and tobacco increased by 2.5%. In the EU, the volume of retail trade decreased by 42.6% for automotive fuels and by 29.7% for non-food products while food, drinks and tobacco increased by 1.4%.