Retail sales fell by 0.3 per cent in both the euro zone and the EU27 in January, according to new official figures from Eurostat.
This compares to a rise in retail sales in December of 0.5 per cent for the euro zone and 0.2 per cent for the European Union as a while.
In January 2010, the food, drinks and tobacco segment declined by 0.1 per cent in the Euro zone when compared to December 2009 and by 0.3 per cent in the EU27. The non-food sector dropped by 0.6 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively over the same period.
The highest increases in sales were recorded in Lithuania, Portugal and Estonia while the biggest decreases were in Denmark, Poland and Slovakia.
Retail trade volume was unchanged in Bulgaria, Germany and France.
For the year ending January 31st 2010, the retail sales index declined by 1.3 per cent in the euro zone and 1.6 per cent in the EU27.
The food, drinks and tobacco segment rose by 0.2 per cent in the euro zone in the 12-month period under review and by 0.6 per cent in the European Union as a whole. The non-food sector fell by 1.5 per cent in both zones.
The largest increases in trade volumes were in Sweden, Malta and Austria with the biggest declines recorded in Latvia, Lithuania and Romania.
