In May 2023, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade remained unchanged in the euro area and decreased by 0.1% in the EU, compared with April 2023, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In April 2023, the retail trade volume remained stable in the euro area and increased by 0.1% in the EU.
In May 2023 compared with May 2022, the calendar adjusted retail sales index decreased by 2.9% in the euro area and by 3.0% in the EU.
Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State
In the euro area in May 2023, compared with April 2023, the volume of retail trade decreased by 0.5% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 0.3% for automotive fuels, while it increased by 0.1% for non-food products.
In the EU, the volume of retail trade decreased by 0.3% for food, drinks and tobacco, while it remained unchanged for non-food products and increased by 0.3% for automotive fuels.
Among Member States for which data are available, the largest monthly decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in the Slovenia (-5.3%), Luxembourg (-4.5%) and Poland (-3.7%). The highest increases were observed in Romania (+3.3%), Portugal (+3.2%) and Sweden (+1.6%).
Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State
In the euro area in May 2023, compared with May 2022, the volume of retail trade decreased by 3.5% for food, drinks and tobacco, by 2.2% for automotive fuels and by 2.1% for non-food products.
In the EU, the retail trade volume decreased by 3.5% for food, drinks and tobacco, by 2.5% for automotive fuels and by 2.4% for non-food products.
Among Member States for which data are available, the largest yearly decreases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Slovenia (-13.4%), Hungary (-12.3%) and Estonia (-9.6%). The highest increases were observed in Spain (+7.3%), Cyprus (+6.1%) and Malta (+3.3%).
