In September 2020, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade fell by 2.0% in the euro area and by 1.7% in the EU, compared with August 2020, according to estimates from Eurostat.
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In August 2020, the retail trade volume rose by 4.2% in the euro area and by 3.6% in the EU.
In September 2020 compared with September 2019, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 2.2% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU.
Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State
In the euro area in September 2020, compared with August 2020, the volume of retail trade decreased by 2.6% for non-food products, by 1.4% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 0.2% for automotive fuels. In the EU, the volume of retail trade decreased by 2.1% for non-food products, by 1.1% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 0.5% for automotive fuels.
Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases were observed in Belgium (-7.4%), France (-4.5%) and Germany (-2.2%). The highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Bulgaria (+2.8%), Portugal (+1.9%) and Romania (+1.7%).
Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State
In the euro area in September 2020, compared with September 2019, the volume of retail trade increased by 2.9% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 2.6% for non-food products, while automotive fuel decreased by 3.8%. In the EU, the retail trade volume increased by 2.9% for non-food products and by 2.4% for food, drinks and tobacco, while automotive fuel decreased by 4.6%.
Among Member States for which data are available, the highest yearly increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Ireland (+11.5%), Lithuania (+6.2%), Latvia and Slovakia (both +5.9%). The largest decreases were observed in Malta (-12.2%), Slovenia (-6.9%) and Bulgaria (-6.7%).
The euro area (EA19) includes Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland.
The European Union (EU27) includes Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden. ■