In May 2011, compared with April 2011, the volume of retail trade1 fell by 1.1% in both the euro area2 (EA17) and the EU272. In April3 retail trade rose by 0.7% and by 0.9 respectively.

In May 2011, compared with May 2010, the retail sales index decreased by 1.9% in the euro area and by 1.4% in the EU27.

In May 2011, compared with April 2011, Food, drinks and tobacco fell by 0.6% in the euro area and by 1.8% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 0.9% and 1.1% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade declined in thirteen and increased in eight. The largest decreases were observed in Denmark (-3.7%), Portugal (-3.1%) and Germany (-2.8%), and the highest increases in Luxembourg (+3.0%), Latvia (+2.0%) and Malta (+1.5%).

In May 2011, compared with May 2010, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 2.1% in the euro area and by 2.4% in the EU27. The non food sector decreased by 1.3% and 0.3% respectively.
Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade decreased in ten and rose in eleven. The largest decreases were observed in Portugal (-8.0%), Spain (-7.7%) and Romania (-6.0%), and the highest increases in Luxembourg (+14.3%), Lithuania (+6.0%) and Belgium (+5.7%).