Volume of retail trade decreased by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.3% across the EU

Retail Trade Trends in the Euro Area and EU – February 2026

Eurostat's preliminary data reveals that retail trade volumes in February 2026 saw a slight decline compared to the previous month, dropping by 0.2% in the euro area and 0.3% across the EU. In contrast, January 2026 figures showed no significant change in retail activity for either region.

Looking at year-on-year performance, the calendar-adjusted retail sales index rose by 1.7% in both the euro area and the EU when compared to February 2025.

Within the euro area, retail sales for food, beverages, and tobacco fell by 0.5% from January to February 2026, while other categories remained largely unchanged.