The volume of trade in the euro zone has beat expectations for October and registered an increase of 1.6 per cent over October 2001.
In October 2002, as compared to October 2001, the volume of retail trade increased by 1.6 per cent in the euro-zone2 and by 2.7 per cent in the EU15.
In addition, Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities said today, compared to September 2002, sales rose by 0.7 per cent in both zones.
A breakdown of the figures shows that:
- Overall, sales of "food, drinks and tobacco" increased by 1.9 per cent in the euro-zone and by 2.5 per cent in the EU15
- sales of food in specialised stores fell by 0.4 per cent in the euro-zone and 0.8 per cent in the EU15
- sales in non specialised stores increased by 2.9 per cent and 3.6 per cent respectively.
The non food sector gained 1.6 per cent in the euro-zone and 3.2 per cent in the EU15.
Among the non food sectors, textiles, clothing and footwear grew by 4.7 per cent in the euro-zone and 7.4 per cent in the EU15, while retail sales of household goods fell by 2.3 per cent and 1.0 per cent respectively.