Decrease in the EU as well

Retail sales were down by 0.4 per cent in the EUR zone and by 0.7 per cent in the EU-27 zone in March, compared to February. According to Eurostat data, retail sales were 1.6 per cent lower in the EUR zone in March 2008, compared to 2007, while an increase of 0.4 per cent took place in the EU-27 zone. Retail sales grew in 9 EU countries and dropped in 10. Romania and Slovakia produced the highest rate of growth (16.2 per cent and 10.4 per cent respectively), while the biggest drop was recorded in Spain and Estonia.