Retail Trade Experiences Minor Decline in March

According to Eurostat's latest report, retail trade in both the Eurozone and the European Union saw a slight decrease of 0.1% in March compared to the previous month. Despite this monthly dip, the year-on-year comparison reveals a positive trend, with the euro area witnessing a 1.5% increase and the EU a 1.4% growth.

Varied Performance Across Different Sectors

The report highlights a mixed performance across different retail sectors. Sales volumes for food, drinks, and tobacco slightly decreased by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU. Non-food products saw a 0.1% decline in the Eurozone but a 0.1% increase in the EU. Conversely, automotive fuel sales in specialized stores experienced a 0.4% uplift in both regions.

Country-Specific Retail Sales Trends

Slovenia, Estonia, and Slovakia faced the most significant month-on-month declines, with Slovenia leading at a 2% decrease. On the brighter side, Malta, Belgium, and Croatia enjoyed the highest retail sales growth, with Malta topping the list at a 2% increase.