Eurozone: volume of retail trade unchanged in March

According to estimates from Eurostat, in March 2019 compared with February 2019, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade remained unchanged in the euro area (EA19), and increased by 0.3% in the EU28. In February 2019, the retail trade volume increased by 0.5% in both the euro area and EU28. In March 2019 compared with March 2018, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.9% in the euro area and by 2.9% in the EU28

In the euro area in March 2019, compared with February 2019, the volume of retail trade increased by 0.6% for food, drinks and tobacco, while automotive fuel decreased by 0.6% and non-food products by 0.4%. In the EU28, the retail trade volume increased by 0.5% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 0.2% for non-food products, while automotive fuel remained stable.

In the euro area in March 2019, compared with March 2018, the volume of retail trade increased by 3.0% for nonfood products, by 1.4% for automotive fuels and by 0.7% for food, drinks and tobacco. In the EU28, the retail trade volume increased by 4.4% for non-food products, by 4.1% for automotive fuel and by 0.4% for food, drinks and tobacco.