In the euro area, retail sales fell in March. They fell by 0.4 percent compared to the previous month, as the statistics office Eurostat announced on Wednesday in Luxembourg. Analysts had expected an average decline of 0.3 percent. The drop is just about offsetting February’s rise. Compared to the same month last year, sales in March rose by 0.8 percent.
In a month-on-month comparison, sales of food, beverages and tobacco products alone increased. By contrast, revenue from other goods and fuels declined. Online trading recorded the most significant declines. (dpa)