Retail trade volume falls 2.3% in euro area, 1.9% in EU27 in July compared to previous month
Retail sales slipped 2.3% in the eurozone in July compared to a month ago due to a decline in online shopping figures, according to the EU’s statistical authority on Friday.
The volume of retail trade was also down by 1.9% month-on-month in the EU27 this July,Eurostat said in a statement.
“In July 2021 compared with July 2020, the calendar adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 3.1% in the euro area and by 3.8% in the EU,”it noted.
Internet and mail-order sales posted their largest monthly decline by 7.3% and 6% in the eurozone and EU, respectively, the data showed.
Among member states for which data is available, retail trade fell the most in Ireland (minus 5.9%), Germany (minus 5.1%), and Austria (minus 3.9%), while the greatest increases were in Croatia (2.5%), Malta (2.3%) and Luxembourg (2.2%).
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.