Eurozone retail sales show fastest growth in 18 months

By Tuba Ongun

Eurozone retail sales posted their fastest growth in 18 months, according to data released on Tuesday.

The volume of retail trade rose 0.8% from a month earlier in the euro area, the largest rise since September 2022, Eurostat data showed.

Sales volumes jumped 2% for automotive fuels and 1.2% for food, drinks, and tobacco in March.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the euro area climbed 0.7% in March.

The eurozone/euro area, or EA19, represents member states that use the bloc's single currency, the euro, while the EU27 includes all of its member countries.

For the EU, retail sales went up 1.2% month-on-month in March and 2% year-on-year.

The largest monthly rises in the total retail trade volume were seen in Poland (7.3%), Greek Cyprus (4.8%), and Hungary (2.0%).

On the other hand, Sweden (-1.8%), Malta (-1.0%) and Austria (-0.8%) posted the largest monthly drops.