Retail trade falls slightly in the eurozone and the EU in July

Brussels – In July 2026, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade – the figure adjusted for calendar and holiday effects – fell 0.6 per cent in the euro area and by 0.4 per cent in the EU, according to data reported by Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office. The previous month, it had risen by 0.2 per cent in both areas. Compared with July 2025, the retail sales index rose by 0.6 per cent in the euro area and by 1.0 per cent in the EU.

In particular, the volume increased by 0.4 per cent for food products, drinks and tobacco; it fell by 1.4 per cent for non-food products – excluding motor fuels – and it dropped by 0.8 per cent for motor fuels sold in specialist shops. Across the EU, it rose by 0.3 per cent for food, drinks and tobacco; fell by 1.1 per cent for non-food products (excluding motor fuels); and contracted by 1.1 per cent for motor fuels in specialist shops.

Looking at individual Member States, the most significant monthly falls were recorded in Germany (-3.4 per cent), Spain (-0.9 per cent), Italy and Poland (both -0.3 per cent). The sharpest increases were in Latvia (+2.5 per cent), Cyprus (+2.0 per cent) and Luxembourg (+1.8 per cent).