Retail trade volume down in EU, eurozone in February

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - The retail trade volume both in the EU and the euro area posted declines in February versus the same month last year.

Retail sales dropped by 1% in eurozone while 0.6% in the 27-member bloc, Eurostat revealed on Wednesday.

Non-food sales dropped by 1.4%, automotive fuel by 0.8% and food, drinks and tobacco sales by 0.6% in the euro area.

In the EU side, non-food decreased by 1%, automotive fuel by 0.4% and food-drink-tobacco by 0.2%.

Among member states, the largest annual decreases were posted by Estonia with 6.7%, Belgium with 3.8% and Finland with 2.9%.

On a monthly basis, retail sales declined by 0.1% in the euro area and 0.3% in the EU.