2020.11.0511:36:00UTC+00Eurozone Retail Sales Decline In September

Eurozone retail sales declined more-than-expected in September after recovering in August, data published by Eurostat showed Thursday.

Retail sales volume fell 2 percent month-on-month in September, in contrast to a 4.2 percent increase in August. Sales were forecast to drop 1 percent.

Sales of food, drinks and tobacco dropped 1.4 percent on month and non-food product sales slid 2.6 percent. At the same time, sales of automotive fuel in specialized stores were down 0.2 percent.

On a yearly basis, growth in retail sales halved to 2.2 percent from 4.4 percent in August. Economists had forecast a 2.8 percent rise.

In the EU27, retail sales dropped 1.7 percent on month but expanded 2.1 percent on a yearly basis in September.