Retail trade increased by 2.7% in Euro Area and by 2.6% in EU

Europe continues to show signs of recovery with the latest trade figures showing retail trade being up in continental Europe.

Retail trade increased by 2.7 per cent in the Euro Area and by 2.6 per cent in the European Union (EU) during March 2021, compared with February 2021 based on the latest figures coming out of Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union. Eurostat is reporting that, “in February 2021, the retail trade volume climbed by 4.2 per cent in the Euro Area and by 3.8 per cent in the EU”.

In comparison to March 2020, March 2021’s calendar adjusted retail sales index rose by 12.0 per cent in the Euro Area and by 11.6 per cent in EU. In comparison to February 2021, the volume of retail trade increased in the Euro Area in March 2021 by 4.6 per cent for non-food products and by 1.0 per cent for food, drinks and tobacco, while it decreased by 2.9 per cent for automotive fuels.

According to Eurostat, “in the EU, the volume of retail trade rose by 4.2 per cent for non-food products and by 0.8 per cent for food, drinks and tobacco, while it decreased by 2.3 per cent for automotive fuels”.

Highest monthly increases in total retail trade by countries

Among the member states, Eurostat noted that, “the highest monthly increases in total retail trade were registered in Denmark (+22.5 per cent), the Netherlands (+8.4 per cent), Germany and Lithuania (both +7.7 per cent). The largest decreases were observed in Croatia (-4.0 per cent), Poland (-2.2 per cent) and Austria (-1.9 per cent)”.

In terms of the annual comparison by retail sector in the Euro Area in March 2021, compared with March 2020, the volume of retail trade increased by 25.0 per cent for non-food products.

Within this category, mail orders and internet increased by 37.2 per cent and by 17.1 per cent for automotive fuels, while it decreased by 1.1 per cent for food, drinks and tobacco. Furthermore, in the EU, the volume of retail trade increased by 25.0 per cent for non-food products. Within this category mail orders and internet increased by 37.2 per cent.

The volume of retail trade for automotive fuels increased by 17.1 per cent, while it decreased by 1.1 per cent for food, drinks and tobacco. Among member states for which data are available, the highest annual increases in total retail trade volume were registered in Slovenia (+24.0 per cent), Denmark (+22.6 per cent) and France (+21.3 per cent).

Decreases were observed in Hungary (-2.1 per cent), Portugal (-1.1 per cent) and Malta (-0.1%).