EU and the euro area retail sales increased in February

The seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 0.7 percent in both the euro area and the whole European Union (EU28) in February compared to the first month of 2017, Eurostat reported on Tuesday.

The increase for non-food products of 0.9 percent contributed most to the month on month growth in the euro area. On the other hand, automotive fuel sales were down by 0.9 percent in February 2017.

The largest rise in retail sales was recorded in Portugal, up 3.1 percent , while the largest decline was observed in Malta, down 0.8 percent .

Annually, retail sales volume in the euro area rose by 1.8 percent from the same month in 2016, while it climbed 2.2 percent in EU28. (MTI)