Volume of retail trade down by 0.1% in the euro area and up by 0.1% in the EU in World Economy News 05/03/2026 Overview In January 2026, compared with December 2025, the seasonally adjusted retail trade volume decreased by 0.1% in the euro area and increased by 0.1% in the EU, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In December 2025, retail trade volume grew by 0.2% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU. In January 2026, compared with January 2025, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 2.0% in the euro area and by 2.3% in the EU. Monthly comparison by retail sector and by Member State In the euro area in January 2026, compared with December 2025, the volume of retail trade increased for food, drinks, tobacco by 0.3%, decreased for non-food products (except automotive fuel) by 0.2%, decreased for automotive fuel in specialised stores by 1.1%. In the EU, the volume of retail trade increased for food, drinks, tobacco by 0.4%, decreased for non-food products (except automotive fuel) by 0.1%, decreased for automotive fuel in specialised stores by 1.0%. Among Member States for which data are available, the highest monthly increases in the total retail trade volume were recorded in Estonia (+4.4%), Latvia (+2.8%) and Portugal (+2.0%). The largest decreases were observed in Slovakia (-3.5%), Slovenia (-1.9%) and Croatia (-1.3%). Annual comparison by retail sector and by Member State In the euro area in January 2026, compared with January 2025, the volume of retail trade increased for food, drinks, tobacco by 1.4%, increased for non-food products (except automotive fuel) by 2.4%, increased for automotive fuel in specialised stores by 0.7%. In the EU, the volume of retail trade increased for food, drinks, tobacco by 1.3%, increased for non-food products (except automotive fuel) by 2.9%, increased for automotive fuel in specialised stores by 2.0%. Among Member States for which data are available, the highest annual increases in the total retail trade volume were recorded in Luxembourg (+24.7%), Lithuania (+9.3%) and Estonia (+8.7%). Decreases were observed in Slovakia (-3.1%) and Slovenia (-1.5%). Notes for users Revisions and timetable Compared with the data issued in the News Release of 5 February 2026, the monthly percentage change for December 2025 has been revised from -0.5% to +0.1% in the euro area (EA20) and from -0.5% to 0.0% in the EU. The annual percentage change has been revised from +1.3% to +1.8% in the euro area (EA20) and from +1.7% to +2.0% in the EU. Methods and definitions The index of the volume of retail trade measures the evolution of the turnover in retail trade, adjusted for price changes (deflated), i.e. the evolution of the total amount of goods sold, based on data adjusted for calendar and seasonal effects. Seasonally adjusted euro area and EU series are calculated by aggregating the seasonally adjusted national data. Geographical information Up to 31 December 2025, the euro area included Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland (EA20). From 1 January 2026, the euro area also includes Bulgaria (EA21). The aggregate data series commented on in this Euro indicator release refer to the official composition of the euro area in the most recent month for which data are available. Thus, Euro indicator releases