Retail Trade Volumes Up 0.3% Across Europe

March 2014 saw retail trade increase across Europe by 0.3%. In February the increase in trade had been 0.1% in the euro area and 0.3% in the EU28. The annual comparison shows that in March 2014 compared with March 2013 the increase was 0.9% in the euro area and 1.6% in the EU28.

The 0.3% increase in the volume of retail trade on the monthly comparison in the euro area is due to a rise of 1.3% in the food, drinks and tobacco sector while the volume fell by 0.3% in the non-food sector and 0.1% in automotive fuel. In the EU28 the rise was due t rises of 1% for automotive fuel and 0.7% for food, drinks and tobacco.

The biggest increases were seen in Estonia and Latvia with 2.8%, France 2.3% and Romania with 2.2%. The decreases were in Portugal with a decrease of 1.7%, Austria with 0.9%, Germany, Ireland and Slovenia all with 0.7%.

The increase of 0.9% in volume over the year was due to rises of 1.9% in the non-food sector, 0.3% in automotive fuel and 0.3% in food, drinks and tobacco in the euro sector. The increase of 1.6% in the volume of retail trade in the EU28 was due to rises of 3.3% in the non-food sector and 1.8% for automotive fuel. Food, drinks and tobacco fell by 0.1%.

Romania saw the biggest increase with a rise of 13.4% in volume, Luxembourg was next with 12.1% and Hungary with 8.4%. Malta with -2%, Finland with -1.3%, Slovenia -1.1% and Spain with -0.6% saw the biggest decreases in volume of retail trade.

Retail Volumes Increase In Europe

Retail trade volumes were up by 0.7% in the euro area in August compared with July 2013 according to estimates from Eurostat. In the EU28 volumes were up by 0.4%. In July both zones reported increases of 0.5%. Over the year the retail index fell by 0.3% in the euro area but increased by 0.3% in the EU28.

Internet Sales Increase Retail Volumes In August

The year on year estimates for the volume of retail sales suggest an increase of 2.1% continuing the trend of growth seen since April 2013 according to the ONS. Non-store retailing which includes selling online, mail order, stalls and markets provided the main upward pressure for the growth. The amount spent as well as the quantity bought in non-store retailing has continued to increase since January.

The monthly comparison shows a fall in retail volumes of 0.9% in August following growth of 1.1% in July. The food sector's fall of 2.7% was the cause of the downward pressure as sales returned to normal for the time of year after a 2.7% increase in sales due to the hot weather.

In August (4 week reporting period) the amount spent in retailing was £26.9bn compared with £27.9bn in July (4 weeks) and £26bn in the four weeks of August 2012. In August 2013 for every pound spent in the retail industry 42p was spent in food stores, 41p was spent in non-food stores 6p was spent in non-store retailing ans 11p was spent on automotive fuel.

Internet sales spend in August 2013 was £579.6m on average/week, an increase of 22.5% on August last year. Internet spend accounted for 9.7% of all retail sales (excluding fuel).

High Street Volumes Below Expectations

Retailers were disappointed at 'flat' retail trade after hopes of growth to seasonal norms but it was better than the year-on-year fall in sales of last month according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey. Sales are expected to improve again next month. Sales volumes showed slight increases for a narrow majority of retailers.

Wholesalers and motor traders both reported increases in sales volumes but they were also below expectations.

Europes High Streets See Decline In Trade In April

The volume of trade on he High Streets of Europe fell by 0.5% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU27 in April 2013 according to Eurostat monthly figures comparisons. Their annual comparison saw sales fall by 1.1% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU27.

The value of trade in April fell by 0.5 points from 96.6 to 96.1 in the euro area and from 98.6 in March to 97.9 in April 2013.

Non-Food Sector Takes Retail Volumes Down

The volume of retail trade in Europe fell in March 2013 compared with February 2013 by 0.1% in the euro area and 0.2% in the EU27. The figures from Eurostat also include the annual comparison and between March 2012 and March 2013 the index fell by 2.4% in the euro area and 1.6% in the EU27.

During March the food, drinks and tobacco sector increased by 0.8% in the euro area and by 1% in the EU27 but the non-food sector fell by 0.5% and 0.6% respectively. Total retail trade fell in nine countries and rose in eleven. Over the year food, drinks and tobacco fell by 1.2% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU27 but the non-food sector fell even more by 3.3% and 2% respectively. Retail trade fell in fourteen countries and rose in seven. The biggest fall in retail trade was in Spain with -10.5%.

Euro Retail Trade Down By 0.3%

Retail trade in the euro area fell by 0.3% during February 2013 according to a statistical bulletin from Eurostat. In the EU27 trade was stable. January retail trade grew b y 0.9% and 0.8% respectively.

The annual comparison shows that compared with February 2012 retail trade fell by 1.4% in the euro area and 0.2% in the EU27.

Increases In Retail Trade On Europe's High Streets

The volume of retail trade rose by 1.2% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU27 in January compared with December according to data from Eurostat. In December trade had fallen by 0.8% and 0.7% respectively. The annual comparison shows that sales fell by 1.3% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU27 in January 2013 compared with January 2012.

The monthly comparison shows that the countries with the greatest increases in January were Portugal and Romania with 4.2% with the largest decreases in Denmark (-2%), Malta (1.6%) and Finland (-1.2%). The annual comparison shows that the largest increases were in Belgium (8.4%) and Luxembourg (7.1%) and the biggest decreases were in Slovenia (-7.6%), Bulgaria (-5.5%) and Portugal (-3.9%).

Business And Consumers In Europe Still Confident

The Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area increased slightly in December by .05 to -1.12 due to positive assessments of production expectations and order books.

The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) improved by 1.3 points to 87 from 85.7 in the euro area in December and remained more or less unchanged in the EU27 at 88.4 from 88.1. Economic sentiment in the euro area improved among consumers and in all sectors except retail trade. In the EU27 economic sentiment increased in industry and construction but these were partly offset by decreases in services and retail trade. Consumer confidence in thne EU remained unchanged.

Trading Up On The High Street

Retail sales values increased by 3.3% in May 2012 compared with May 2011 and volumes increased by 2.4%. Store price inflation slowed down to 0.9%, the lowest it has been since October 2009.

Sales volumes in non-specialised stores increased by 11.3% and values by 9.3%. Household goods stores contributed 0.5% of volume with an increase of 5.1%.

The total amount spent in the retail sector between April and May 2012 was an estimated £26.4bn or an average weekly spend of £6.6bn. Total non-store retailing which contributes 14.9% points grew by 0.7%. Internet sales had an estimated value of £501.9m, an increrase of 21.6% compared with May 2011 and 8.8% of all retail sales values (excl. auto fuel).

Retail Trade Down Across Europe

In April compared with March 2012 retail trade fell across Europe by 1% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU27. When compared with April 2011 retail trade fell by 2.5% in the euro area and by 1.9% in the EU27. The food sector fell by 2.3% in the euro area and by 2.4% in the EU27 and the non-food sector fell by 2.1% and 0.7% respectively. The volume of retail trade fell in twelve of the Member States and grew in nine. The largest decreases were in Spain (-9.6%), Portugal (-9.3%) and Malta (-4.6%) and the greatest increases were in Estonia (8.5%), Latvia (7.8%) and Romania 3.4%).

Retail Volumes Increase Across Europe

The volume of retail trade has increased by 0.3% in the euro area during March compared with February and by 0.7% in the EU27. In Bulgaria sales increased by 3.9% and in Poland by 2.6%. In western Europe sales laos incresaed in Austria and the UK both by 1.9%. Retail trade decreased in Portugal (-2.2%) and Estonia (-2%) and Slovenia -1.4%). The changes in both areas were mainly due to fluctuations in the non-food products sectors. Over the year from March 2011 to March 2012 retail sales fell by 0.2% in the euro area but grew in the EU27 by 1%. The biggest increases were in Latvia (10%), Estonia (9.3%) and Luxembourg (7.2%) andf the biggest decreases were in Portugal (-5%), Spain (-3.9%) and Malta (-2.7%). The changes were due to a fall of 0.3% in sales in the food, drinks and tobacco sector in the euro area and increases of 0.3% in the euro area and 2.2% in the EU27 in the non-food sector.

Retail Sales Down 0.4% In Euro Area

Euro area retail trade fell by 0.4% in terms of volume in December 2011 compared with November while it grew by 0.3% in the EU27 over the same period. Food, drinks and tobacco fell by 0.2% in the euro area and grew by 0.3% in the EU27. Non-food sector categories grew by 0.3% in the EU27 but fell by 0.1% in the euro area.

Total retail trade fell in eleven states and grew in eight states remaining stable in Ireland and Sweden. The highest increases were in Portugal (2.2%), Belgium (1.5%) and Poland (0.7%) and the biggest decreases were in Malta and Slovenia (both -3.1%) and Latvia (-2%).

The annual comparison shows that in December 2011 compared with December 2010 the food, drinks and tobacco sector fell by 1.3% in the euro area and 0.6% in the EU27 and the non-food sector decreased by 1.5% in the euro area but grew by 0.8% in the EU27. The total retail sales index for the EU27 shows growth of 0.1% but in the euro area a fall of 1.6%.

Trade fell in ten states but rose in eleven. The largest increases were in Lithuania (13%), Latvia (7.1%) and the UK (6.3%). The biggest falls in trade were recorded in Portugal (-8.8%), Spain (-5.3%) and Slovakia (-3.3%) (Eurostat).

Retail Trade Lower Across Europe In November

First estimates from Eurostat suggest that retail trade volumes in the euro area fell by 0.8% over the month and by 2.5% over the year. In the EU27 trade fell by o.6% during November and 1.3% over the year.

Over the month the food, drinks and tobacco sector fell by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU27. The non-food sector fell by 0.7% in both areas. Retail trade fell in 13 countries and rose in 7. Over the year, food, drinks and tobacco fell 1.6% in the euro area and by 1.5% in the EU27 while the non-food sector fell by 3% and 1.1% respectively. Over the year retail trade volumes fell in 10 member states and rose in 10.

September Retail Trade Down In Europe

The volume of retail trade in Europe fell in both the euro zone and the EU in general in September when compared with August 2011. The year on year retail sales index also fell in both areas.

Volume fell by 0.7% in the euro area and 0.3% in the EU27 during the month between August and September. The non-food sector fell by 0.8% in the euro area and 0.9% in the EU while food, drink and tobacco remained unchanged in the euro area and rose by 0.1% in the EU27. The total retail trade index fell in 11 of the member states and rose in 8. The highest decreases were in Portugal (-3.7%), Slovenia (-2.1%) and Spain (-1.7%) and the largest increases were in Poland (2.4%), UK (1%) and Latvia (0.9%).

The index fell by 1.5% in the euro area and 0.8% in the EU27 when comparing 2010 and 2011. The food category fell by 0.5% in the euro area and 0.4% in the EU as a whole. The non-food sector fell by 1.9% and 0.8% respectively. The highest decreases were in Malta (-7.5%), Portugal (-6.2%) and Spain (-5.8%). The highest increases were in Lithuania (10.6%), Luxembourg (8.3%) and Latvia (8.1%).

Business Confidence Continues To Fall Across Europe In August

The Busines Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area fell for the sixth month in a row in August 2011 from 0.44 to 0.07. It reflects pessimism among managers about order books and export order books. Production expectations and observation of production trends also contributed to the low feeling. Stocks appraisals are recovering from historic lows.

The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) fell to 97.3 in the EU and to 98.3 in the euro area. Loss of confidence was particularly marked in services, retail trade and in the consumer confidence indicator.

European Retail Volume Up By 0.1%

July 2010 saw an increase of 0.1% in retail trade volumes in both the euro area and the EU27 compared with June. Over the year to July 2010 retail trade increased by 1.1% in the euro area and 1% in the EU27.

The food sector grew by 0.3% in the euro area and 0.1% in the EU27 over the month and 1.4% in the euro area and 0.5% in the EU27 over the year. The non-food sector decreased by 0.1% in the euro area and increased by 0.2% in the EU27 over the month and increased by 1.8% in the euro area and 2.5% in the EU27 over the year.

Volume Of Retail Trade In Europe

The volume of retail trade in May compared to April 2010 increased by 0.2% in the euro area and 0.4% in the EU27. The May 2010 on May 2009 volume increased by 0.3% and 0.5% respectively.

In May 2010 compared to April 2010, food, drink and tobacco went up 0.2% in the euro area and 0.3% in EU27, non-food increased 0.4% and 0.5% respectively. The greatest increases were in Denmark, Poland and Estonia and the greatest decreases in Malta and Portugal.

Over the year from May 2009 to May 2010 food, drnk and tobacco increrased 0.3% in the euro area and 0.2% in the EU27 and non-food 1% and 1.9% respectively. The highest increases were in France, Sweden and UK and the greatest decreases were in Lithuania, Bulagaria and Latvia.

Retail Volumes Fall By 1.2% In Europe

The volume of retail trade in both the euro area and the EU27 decreased by 1.2% in April 2010 compared with March 2010. The retail sales index for April 2010 compared with April 2009 was 1.5% in the euro area and 1.6% in the EU27.

The food sector in the euro area fell by 1.1% and 1.4% in the EU27 over the month to April 2010 and the non-food sector by 1.1% and 1.2% respectively. Total retail trade fell in 14 countries and rose in 5 given the data available. The biggest falls were in Poland -8.7%, Denmark -8.6%, Slovakia -3.6% and Spain -2.1%. The highest risers were Belgium with 1.8% and Germany with 1%.

Over the last year from April 2009 to April 2010 the food sector fell by 1.8% in the euro area and 2.7% in the EU27 and non-food fell by 1.1% in the euro area but rose slightly by 0.1% in the EU27. Given the national data available, among the member states, the index fell in 15 countries and rose in 4. Bulgaria and Lithuania both fell 11.7%, Denmark -8.3% and Latvia fell 7.7%. Malta's index rose by 8.7% and Belgium's by 0.7%. Statistics from Eurostat.

Eurpean Retail Trade Stable In March

In Europe, retail trade in both the euro area and the EU27 remained stable during March 2010 on February 2010 according to Eurostat. The volume of retail trade in March 2010 decreased by 0.1% on March 2009 in the euro area but increased by 0.3% in the EU27. During February 2010 retail trade volume fell 0.2% in the euro area but grew by 0.3% in the EU27.

The food drinks and tobacco sector fell by 0.2% in March 2010 compared with February 2010 in the euro area but increased by 0.3% in the EU27. The non-food sector decreased by 0.1% in euro area but increased by 0.2% in EU27. Over the year, food, drink and tobacco increased by 0.9% in the euro area and 0.6% in the EU27. The non-food sector was unchanged in the euro area but grew by 1.4% in the EU27.