Eurostat published that in February 2013 compared with January 2013, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.3% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU. The largest decreases were registered in Estonia (-2.6%), France (-2.2%) and Slovenia (-2.0%), and the highest increases in Luxembourg (+4.1%), Denmark and Malta (both +1.5%).

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, published its latest figures with regard to the retail trade in the EU and in euro area. According to these figures, compared with January 2013, in February 2013, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.3% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU. In January retail trade rose by 0.9% and 0.8% respectively. In October 2012, during a Forum celebrated in Brussels, European retailers expressed its wish to move to a resource efficient economy.

Also compared with January 2013, in February 2013 “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 0.1% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU. The non-food sector decreased by 1.1% and 0.6% respectively. Among member states, the largest decreases were registered in Estonia (-2.6%), France (-2.2%) and Slovenia (-2.0%), and the highest increases in Luxembourg (+4.1%), Denmark and Malta (both +1.5%).

In February 2013 with regard to the figures registered in February 2012, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 1.8% in the euro area and by 1.5% in the EU. The non-food sector dropped by 1.5% in the euro area and rose by 0.2% in the EU. On figures registered by member states, the largest decreases were observed in Spain (-9.7%), Portugal (-5.3%) and Estonia (-4.5%), and the highest increases in Luxembourg (+17.3%), Latvia (+4.8%) and the United Kingdom (+3.8%).