Retail Sales Increase by a Marginal 0.3% In Euro Area and EU in February

Source: Eurostat

The Euro area and EU posted a marginal 0.3% increase in retail sales in February, compared to a gain of 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively, in January. DAX is up +0.45%, EURUSD is down -0.01%.

• In the euro area, retail sales rose the highest in the automotive fuels category at 3.2% and 0.8% in non-food products. The sales fell by 0.5% in the foods, drinks, and tobacco category.
• In the EU, retail sales also rose the highest in automotive fuels at 3.9%, followed by non-food products at 0.4%. Food, drinks, and tobacco posted a decline of 0.4%. 
• Among the member states, retail sales rose the most in Slovenia, with a surge of 8.0%, Netherlands at 4.0%, and Portugal at 2.3%. Declines were at the highest in Belgium, Estonia, and Poland, with falls of 1.8%, 1.7%, and 1.6%, respectively.
• On a year-over-year basis, retail sales rose by 5.0% and 5.4% in the euro area and EU, respectively in February.