In May 2009, compared with April 2009, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.4% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.5%in the EU27. In April retail trade rose by 0.1% and 0.3% respectively. In May 2009, compared with May 2008, the retail sales index decreased by 3.3% in the euro area and by 3.1% in the EU27.

Monthly changes

In May 2009, compared with April 2009, "Food, drinks and tobacco" rose by 0.2% in the euro area but fell by 0.1% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.6% and 0.7% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data is available, total retail trade rose in four and fell in twelve. The only increases were observed in Latvia (+0.9%), Belgium (+0.6%), Germany and Romania (both +0.4%), and the largest decreases in Lithuania and Austria (both -1.8%), Slovakia (-1.7%), Bulgaria, Denmark and Sweden (all -1.1%).

Annual changes

In May 2009, compared with May 2008, "Food, drinks and tobacco" fell by 1.7% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU27. The non food sector declined by 3.4% and 2.9% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data is available, total retail trade fell in fourteen and rose only in Sweden (+2.2%) and Poland (+0.4%). The largest decreases were observed in Latvia (-26.4%), Lithuania (-19.9%) and Slovenia (-13.4%).

Note: No data was available for Malta.

These first estimates come from Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.