Retail trade volume down in january across euro area and eu

Retail trade volume in the euro area and the EU declined in January 2025 compared to the previous month, according to Eurostat’s latest estimates. Seasonally adjusted figures show a 0.3% decrease in the euro area and a 0.2% drop in the EU compared to December 2024. In contrast, annual data revealed a 1.5% increase in the euro area and a 1.6% rise in the EU compared to January 2024.

In terms of monthly sector performance, food, drinks, and tobacco sales increased by 0.6% in the euro area and 0.3% in the EU. However, non-food product sales declined by 0.7% in the euro area and 0.5% in the EU, while automotive fuel sales saw a slight drop of 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively.

Among individual member states, Slovakia (-9.0%), Lithuania (-4.8%), and Cyprus (-2.2%) recorded the largest monthly declines in retail trade volume, while Slovenia (+2.3%), Hungary (+2.2%), and the Netherlands (+1.6%) saw the highest increases.

On an annual basis, food, drinks, and tobacco sales rose by 1.4% in the euro area and 1.0% in the EU. Non-food products saw a 1.8% rise in the euro area and a 2.4% increase in the EU. Automotive fuel sales remained mostly stable, with a marginal 0.1% rise in both regions. Luxembourg (+11.4%), Bulgaria (+8.1%), and Portugal (+5.3%) posted the strongest annual growth, while Finland (-0.4%), Belgium, and Italy (both -0.3%) experienced slight declines.