Retail Trade on the Rise

February brought a wave of optimism to the Eurozone as retail trade experienced a 0.3% increase compared to January, with the European Union not far behind at a 0.2% rise, according to Eurostat's latest report. Year-over-year, the growth was even more significant, with the Eurozone and EU seeing increases of 2.3% and 2%, respectively.

Sector Highlights

The euro area witnessed a uniform 0.3% monthly growth in the volume of retail trade for both food, drinks, tobacco, and non-food products (excluding automotive fuel), while automotive fuel in specialized stores saw a modest 0.2% increase. The EU mirrored this trend with a 0.2% rise in the same categories, except for automotive fuel in specialized stores, which surged by an impressive 1.4%.

Regional Variations

Cyprus emerged as the standout performer with a 4.7% monthly increase in retail sales, contrasting sharply with Bulgaria, where sales dipped by 1.7%.