February Retail Sales Overview

In a recent report by Eurostat, the Eurozone saw a 0.3% increase in retail trade in February compared to January, with the European Union not far behind at a 0.2% rise. Year-over-year, the growth was even more pronounced, with the Eurozone and EU experiencing 2.3% and 2% increases, respectively.

Detailed Sector Performance

The Eurozone's retail trade volume saw a 0.3% monthly increase for food, drinks, tobacco, and non-food products (excluding automotive fuel), while automotive fuel in specialized stores saw a 0.2% rise. The EU mirrored this trend with a 0.2% increase in the same categories, except for automotive fuel in specialized stores, which surged by 1.4%.

Regional Highlights

Cyprus emerged as the leader in retail sales growth, boasting a 4.7% monthly increase. On the other end of the spectrum, Bulgaria faced the largest decline, with a 1.7% drop in retail sales.