Eurozone retail sales rose sharply in August

According to the report from Eurostat, in August 2020 the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 4.4% in the euro area and by 3.8% in the EU, compared with July 2020. In July 2020, the retail trade volume fell by 1.8% in the euro area and by 1.2% in the EU.

In August 2020 compared with August 2019, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 3.7% in the euro area and by 3.5% in the EU.

In the euro area in August 2020, compared with July 2020, the volume of retail trade increased by 6.1% for nonfood products (within this category mail orders and internet increased by 12.4%), by 2.4% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 2.1% for automotive fuels. In the EU, the volume of retail trade increased by 5.1% for non-food products (mail orders and internet +10.5%), by 2.2% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 2.1% for automotive fuels.

In the euro area in August 2020, compared with August 2019, the volume of retail trade increased by 5.9% for non-food products. Within this category mail orders and internet increased by 23.8%, while textiles, clothing, footwear decreased by 14.1%. The volume of retail trade increased by 3.2% for food, drinks and tobacco, while automotive fuel decreased by 4.9%. In the EU, the retail trade volume increased by 6.0% for non-food products (mail orders and internet +26.3%, textiles, clothing, footwear -13.2%) and by 2.6% for food, drinks and tobacco, while automotive fuel decreased by 4.8%.