Eurostat estimates show that in July there was a decrease in retail sales of 0,4% compared to the previous month both in the Eurozone and throughout the Union of 28 countries. However, comparing the data with the results of 2013, there was an increase of 0,8% in the euro area, while in the EU there was a net increase of 1%.
Compared to June, sales of food, beverages and tobacco in the Eurozone decreased by 0,6%, while the non-food sector lost 0,2%. Fuel went against the trend, registering a +0,5%. In the union -0,5% for food, beverages and tobacco, automotive fuel loses 0,3%, while -0,2% is recorded for the non-food sector.
Compared to 2013, however, sales in the non-food sector in the Eurozone increased by 1,5%, those for fuel decreased by 2,9%, together with those in the food, beverage and tobacco sector which decreased by 0,2%. . In the enlarged EU: +2,4% for the non-food sector, -3% fuel for cars, -0,2% food, drinks and tobacco.
As regards the data of the countries taken individually, the most important progress was recorded in Luxembourg (+14,1%), Estonia (+9,2%), and Romania (+6,3%). Conversely, the greatest decrease was recorded in Malta (-2,5%).
