site.btaRetail Sales in EU, Euro Area Down in October, Up in Bulgaria, Eurostat Data

In October 2024, compared with September 2024, the seasonally adjusted retail trade volume decreased by 0.5% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, published Thursday. 

In September 2024, retail trade volume grew by 0.5% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU.

In October 2024, compared with October 2023, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.9% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU.

In Bulgaria, the volume of retail sales increased by 0.8% in October compared to September, when it recorded a more modest growth - by 0.6%. In August, on a monthly basis, domestic retail sales declined by 0.8%.

On a year-on-year basis in October, domestic retail sales increased for the ninth consecutive month, by 5.1%, after rising by 4.8% in September.

NSI data released earlier in the day also reported a 0.8% increase in turnover in October compared to the previous month and a 5.1% year-on-year increase.

Among EU countries, retail trade grew the most in Luxembourg (+15.4%), Romania (+10.2%) and Croatia (+6.7%). Finland (2.9%), Belgium (2.5%) and Estonia (1.6%) saw the biggest declines.