Volume of retail trade down by 3.0% in euro area and down by 2.8% in the EU (Eurostat figures)
In December 2021, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased by 3.0% in the euro area and by 2.8% in the EU, compared with November 2021, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November 2021, the retail trade volume increased by 1.0% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU.
In December 2021 compared with December 2020, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 2.0% in the euro area and by 2.6% in the EU.
The annual average level of retail trade for the year 2021, compared with 2020, increased by 5.0% in the euro area and by 5.5% in the EU.
Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State
In the euro area in December 2021, compared with November 2021, the volume of retail trade decreased by 5.2% for non-food products and by 0.3% for food, drinks and tobacco, while it increased by 0.1% for automotive fuels.
In the EU, the volume of retail trade decreased by 5.0% for non-food products and by 0.2% for food, drinks and tobacco, while it remained stable for automotive fuels.
Among Member States for which data are available, the largest monthly decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in the Netherlands (-9.2%), Spain (-5.7%) and Germany (-5.5%).
The highest increases were observed in Latvia (+7.2%), Slovenia (+2.1%), Bulgaria and Hungary (both +1.0%).
Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State
In the euro area in December 2021, compared with December 2020, the volume of retail trade increased by 14.2% for automotive fuels, by 3.1% for non-food products while it fell by 1.1% for food, drinks and tobacco.
In the EU, the retail trade volume increased by 13.1% for automotive fuels, by 4.0% for non-food products while it fell by 0.9% for food, drinks and tobacco.
Among Member States for which data are available, the highest yearly increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Slovenia (+44.1%), Lithuania (+16.2%) and Estonia (+12.6%). The largest decreases were observed in Ireland (-3.2%), Spain and Finland (both -3.0%).