Eurostat released retail sales today. Retail sales in the Eurozone fell 0.4% in July, missing expectations for a 0.3% decline, after a 0.3% increase in June. June's figure was revised down from a 0.4% rise.

Food, drinks and tobacco sales declined 0.6%, the non-food sector fell 0.25, while automotive fuel increased by 0.5%.

The largest decreases were registered in Austria (-1.5%) and Germany (-1.4%). The highest rises were registered in Portugal (+2.6%) and Latvia (+2.2%).

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the Eurozone climbed 0.8% in July, missing expectations for a 0.9% rise, after a 1.9% gain in June.

The non-food sector rose 1.5%, automotive fuel fell by 2.9% and food, drinks and tobacco sales declined by 0.2%. The highest gains were registered in Luxembourg (+14.1%), Estonia (+9.2%) and Romania (+6.3%). The largest decreases were registered in Malta (-2.5%), Poland (-1.1%), Belgium (-1.0%) and Austria (-1.0%).