ISTANBUL

Eurozone retail sales posted a slight drop in December following a rise the month prior, according to data released on Thursday.

The volume of retail trade decreased 0.2% month-on-month in December, shifting from a 0.1% increase last November, Eurostat figures showed.

Sales volumes fell 0.7% for food, drinks, and tobacco, while rose 0.2% for automotive fuel and 0.3% for non-food products (except automotive fuel).

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the euro area grew 1.9% in December.

On an annual average, sales increased 1% in 2024 in the eurozone compared to 2023.

The eurozone/euro area, or EA19, represents EU member states that use the bloc's single currency, the euro, while the EU27 includes all of its member countries.

For the entire EU, retail sales fell 0.3% on a monthly basis while increasing 2% on an annual basis.

On a yearly average, sales rose 1.3% in the EU in 2024 compared to the previous year.

The steepest monthly declines in total retail trade volume were reported in Slovenia (2.2%), Germany (1.6%) and Poland (1.5%).

On the other hand, the largest monthly rises were seen in Slovakia (8.2%), Finland (2.1%), and Spain (1.4%).