Eurozone retail sales rose sharply in May

According to the report from Eurostat, in May 2021, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 4.6% in both the euro area and the EU, compared with April 2021. Economists had expected a 4.4% increase in the euro area. In April 2021, the retail trade volume decreased by 3.9% in the euro area and by 3.6% in the EU.

In May 2021 compared with May 2020, the calendar adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 9.0% in the euro area and by 9.2% in the EU. Economists had expected a 8.2% increase in the euro area.

In the euro area in May 2021, compared with April 2021, the volume of retail trade increased by 8.8% for non-food products and by 8.1% for automotive fuels, while it decreased by 0.2% for food, drinks and tobacco. In the EU the volume of retail trade increased by 8.5% for non-food products and by 6.8% for automotive fuels, while it decreased by 0.3% for food, drinks and tobacco.

In the euro area in May 2021, compared with May 2020, the volume of retail trade increased by 28.4% for automotive fuels, by 14.8% for non food products and by 0.1% for food, drinks and tobacco. In the EU, the volume of retail trade increased by 25.0% for automotive fuels, by 15.0% for non-food products and by 0.3% for food, drinks and tobacco.