Eurozone retail sales fell sharply in April

According to estimates from Eurostat, in April 2021, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade fell by 3.1% in both the euro area and in the EU, compared with March 2021. Economists had expected a 1.2% increase in the euro area. In March 2021, the retail trade volume increased by 3.3% in the euro area and by 3.2% in the EU.

In April 2021 compared with April 2020, the calendar adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 23.9% in the euro area and by 22.4% in the EU. Economists had expected a 25.5% increase.

In the euro area in April 2021, compared with March 2021, the volume of retail trade decreased by 5.1% for nonfood products and by 2.0% for food, drinks and tobacco, while it increased by 0.4% for automotive fuels. In the EU the volume of retail trade decreased by 4.7% for non-food products and by 1.9% for food, drinks and tobacco, while it remained stable for automotive fuels.

In the euro area in April 2021, compared with April 2020, the volume of retail trade increased by 65.5% for automotive fuels, by 42.6% for non-food products and by 3.3% for food, drinks and tobacco. In the EU, the volume of retail trade increased by 54.3% for automotive fuels, by 38.6% for non-food products and by 3.4% for food, drinks and tobacco.