Euro area retail trade volume fell 0.7 percent in September 2026 from August and EU volume fell 0.6 percent, according to first estimates from Eurostat, reversing a 0.4 percent rise in both in August. Non-food products except automotive fuel drove the fall, down 1.2 percent in the euro area, while food, drinks and tobacco fell 0.3 percent and automotive fuel in specialised stores rose 1.0 percent. Germany recorded the largest monthly decrease among member states at 2.0 percent, followed by Romania at 1.3 percent, and euro area retail volume was up just 0.4 percent from September 2025.
Euro area retail trade falls 0.7 percent in September
Euro area retail trade volume fell 0.7 percent in September from August and EU volume fell 0.6 percent, Eurostat first estimates show, reversing August's 0.4 percent rise in both.
Why it matters: The fall was led by non-food products and by Germany, down 2.0 percent on the month, leaving euro area retail volume up just 0.4 percent from a year earlier.
Data as of Eurostat news release 4-06112026-ap of November 6, 2026, primary source of record, read in full in this run; September 2026 figures are first estimates, seasonally adjusted for the monthly comparison. Developing item.
Sources
- Volume of retail trade down by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU - Eurostat - 2026-11-06