Retail sales of the euro zone and the EU increased in April

Euro zone retail sales rose and unemployment fell in April, the European Union's statistics office data showed on Wednesday, adding to signs of economic recovery in the single currency area.

Eurostat said retail sales in the 19 countries sharing the euro rose 0.7 percent month-on-month in April for a 2.2 percent year-on-year increase — above the market consensus of a 2.0 percent annual rise.

In the European Union, retail sales grew by 2.6 percent in May on an annual basis and by 0.6 percent compared on a monthly basis. (MTI)