In May 2016 compared with April 2016, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade rose by 0.4% in both the euro area (EA19) and the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat. In April the retail trade volume increased by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU28. In May 2016 compared with May 2015 the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 1.6% in the euro area and by 2.8% in the EU28.

The 0.4% increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in May 2016, compared with April 2016, is due to a rise of 0.7% for non-food products, while "Food, drinks and tobacco" and automotive fuel remained stable. In the EU28, the 0.4% increase in the volume of retail trade is due to rises of 0.6% for non-food products and of 0.4% for "Food, drinks and tobacco", while automotive fuel remained stable. Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in total retail trade were registered in Sweden (+2.1%), Estonia (+1.5%) and Ireland (+1.3%), while the largest decreases were observed in Portugal (-1.7%), Romania (-1.6%) and Denmark (-1.1%).