Euro area retail trade volume falls in January

ISTANBUL

The volume of retail trade fell by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU during January 2026 compared with December 2025, Eurostad announced on Thursday.

In December 2025, the retail trade volume increased by 0.3% in both the euro area and the EU.

On an annual basis, retail sales index decreased by 1% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU compared with January 2025.

By retail sector, the volume of retail trade for food, drinks, and tobacco decreased by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU.

Non-food products, excluding automotive fuel, saw a 0.1% decline in the euro area while remaining stable in the EU.

Automotive fuel rose by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU.

Among member states for which data were available, the largest monthly decreases in total retail trade volume were recorded in Germany at 1.2%, Poland at 1.1%, and Slovenia at 1%.

The highest monthly increases were observed in Luxembourg at 1.5%, Romania at 1.3%, and Croatia at 1.2%.