In March 2020, the COVID-19 containment measures widely introduced by Member States had a significant impact on retail trade, as the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased by 11.2% in the euro area and by 10.4% in the EU,

compared with February 2020, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February 2020, the retail trade volume increased by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU. In March 2020 compared with March 2019, the calendar adjusted retail sales index decreased by 9.2% in the euro area and by 8.2% in the EU.

Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State.    In the euro area in March 2020, compared with February 2020, the volume of retail trade decreased by 23.1% for non-food products and by 20.8% for automotive fuels, while food, drinks and tobacco increased by 5.0%. In the EU, the volume of retail trade decreased by 21.3% for non-food products and by 19.3% for automotive fuels, while food, drinks and tobacco increased by 4.7%. Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Bulgaria (-18.1%), France (-17.4%) and Luxembourg (-16.4%). An increase was observed in Ireland (+0.1%).

Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State.   In the euro area in March 2020, compared with March 2019, the volume of retail trade decreased by 21.7% for non-food products and by 21.3% for automotive fuels, while food, drinks and tobacco increased by 8.3%. In the EU, the volume of retail trade decreased by 20.1% for automotive fuels and by 19.5% for non-food products, while food, drinks and tobacco increased by 8.1%. Among Member States for which data are available, the largest annual decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in France (-16.0%), Slovenia (-15.1%) and Bulgaria (-14.6%). The highest increases were observed in Hungary (+3.5%), Romania (+3.1%) and Ireland (+3.0%).