Croatia tops the EU in terms of growth in retail sales

In February, Croatia recorded the highest growth in retail sales in the European Union, while the European average was hampered by weaker sales in food stores and gas stations, data from the European Statistics Office showed on Friday.

In the Eurozone, retail sales in February decreased by 0.7 percent compared to the same month last year, only slightly milder than in January.

In the EU, it almost stagnated, after a 0.6 percent drop in the first month of this year, according to revised data.

The monthly comparison shows a 0.5 percent drop in turnover in the Eurozone, and the EU is close behind, with a 0.4 percent drop in turnover compared to January, when it more or less stagnated in both areas.

Reduced food purchases

At the annual level in the Eurozone, turnover in food, beverage and tobacco shops decreased the most, by 1.4 percent compared to last year's February.

In the EU, gas stations recorded the biggest drop in turnover, by 1.5 percent compared to last year's February.

The monthly comparison shows the biggest drop in fuel sales, by 1.4 percent in the Eurozone and by 0.9 percent in the EU.

Europeans again reduced their purchases of food, beverages and tobacco products, which decreased by 0.4 percent in the Eurozone compared to January, and by 0.5 percent in the EU. At the beginning of the year, turnover in food stores in the Eurozone was stagnant, while in the EU it grew by 0.3 percent.

Jump in Croatia

In February, Croatia led the way with the highest growth in retail sales on an annual basis, by 9.2 percent. In January, it had grown by 7.9 percent.

Romania and Luxembourg followed, where it grew by 8.7 and 6.9 percent, respectively.

On the annual level, turnover fell the most in Belgium and Slovenia, by 6.8 and 5.6 percent, respectively.

Eurostat did not have data for the Czech Republic, Greece and Italy.

In the company of Poland

On a monthly level, turnover in Poland increased the most in February, by 1.4 percent.

Croatia follows with growth in retail sales in February by 1.2 percent compared to January, when it grew by 0.7 percent.

Estonia is also in the group, with turnover growth of 1.0 percent compared to the beginning of the year.

Germany and Belgium recorded the biggest drop in turnover on a monthly basis in February, by 1.3 and 1.2 percent, respectively, according to Eurostat data.

Source: HRT