In December 2008, the sales volume of retailers remained unchanged in both the Eurozone (EZ15) and the EU27 as compared to November. In November last year turnover had fallen by 0.1% in both regions on the previous month. As compared to December 2007, turnover decreased by 1.6% in the Eurozone and by 0.8% in the EU27, according to the European Statistical Office (Eurostat).
Taking into account the entire year 2008, the retail sales index fell by 1.4% in the Eurozone and increased by 0.1% in the EU27 as compared to the year 2007.
Monthly changes
In December 2008 sales volumes of foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco goods increased by 0.2% in the Eurozone and fell by 0.3% in the EU27 as compared to November. For the non-food sector the respective changes were -0.4% and +0.1%.
Among EU member states which made data available sales volumes increased in four member states, decreased in twelve and remained unchanged in Bulgaria and Great Britain. Major increases were registered in Luxembourg (+4.0%) and Slovakia (+1.3%), the biggest drops in Slovenia (-9.0%), Portugal (-6.9%) and Latvia (-4.0%).
Annual changes
Sales of foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco goods were down by 1.0% in the Eurozone and by 1.3% in the EU27 in December 2008 in comparison with December 2007. For the non-food sector the respective changes were -2.0% and -0.4%.
Sales increased in four member states and fell in fourteen. Most significant increases were registered in Poland (+4.6%) and Slovakia (+3.2%), the biggest drops in Latvia (-16.9%), Estonia (-13.2%) and Denmark (-9.0%). 