In September 2017 compared with August 2017, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 0.7% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.3% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In August, the retail trade volume decreased by 0.1% in

the euro area, while it rose by 0.5% in the EU28. In September 2017 compared with September 2016, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 3.7% in the euro area and by 3.5% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State.  The 0.7% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in September 2017, compared with August 2017, is due to rises of 1.3% for “Food, drinks and tobacco” and of 0.5% for non-food products, while automotive fuel fell by 0.4%. In the EU28, the 0.3% increase in the volume of retail trade is due to a rise of 0.9% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while automotive fuel fell by 0.6% and non-food products by 0.1%. Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Ireland (+1.4%), Denmark and Luxembourg (both +1.3%) as well as France (+1.2%), while the largest decreases were observed in the United Kingdom (-2.2%), Croatia (-1.9%) and Lithuania (-1.0%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State.  The 3.7% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in September 2017, compared with September 2016, is due to rises of 5.1% for non-food products and of 2.3% for “Food, drinks and tobacco”, while automotive fuel fell by 0.6%. In the EU28, the 3.5% increase in retail trade volume is due to rises of 5.4% for non-food products and of 1.9% for “Food, drinks and tobacco", while automotive fuel fell by 0.1%. Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Romania (14.0%), Malta (+9.8%) and Ireland (+8.2%), while a decrease was observed in Luxembourg (-25.3%).