The volume of retail trade fell by 3.2 percent in Romania in December 2012 compared to the previous month, this being the sharpest decreases in the EU, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
Other member states where drops were reported include Spain (-2.2 percent) and Slovenia (-2.1 percent).
Overall, In December 2012 compared to the previous month, total retail trade fell in twelve countries, rose in eight and remained stable in Finland. The highest increases were reported in Luxembourg and Poland (both +2.2 percent) and Estonia (+1.9 percent).
At EU level, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.6 percent in December 2012 m-o-m. In the euro area the decrease amounted to 0.8 percent .
In December 2012, compared with December 2011, the retail sales index dropped by 3.4 percent in the euro area and by 2.0 percent in the EU27.  The average volume of retail trade index for 2012, compared with 2011, fell by 1.7 percent in the euro area and by 0.6 percent in the EU27.
Monthly comparisonIn December 2012, compared with November 2012, “Food, drinks and tobacco” decreased by 0.8 percent in the euro area and by 0.6 percent in the EU27. The non-food sector dropped 1.0 percent and 0.7 percent respectively.
Annual comparisonIn December 2012, compared with December 2011, “Food, drinks and tobacco” fell by 2.1 percent in the euro area and by 1.8 percent in the EU27. The non-food sector dropped by 4.2 percent and 1.7 percent respectively.
Source: business-review.ro