According to the report from Eurostat, in October, retail sales increased by 0.2% - as expected - after falling by 0.4% in September (revised from -0.3%). Meanwhile, in annual terms, the growth rate of retail sales slowed to 1.4% compared to +2.6% in September (revised from +2.5%). Economists had expected a 1.2% increase.
The data also showed that, relative to September, the volume of retail sales of motor fuel increased by 1.3%, while sales of non-food products increased by 0.4%. Meanwhile, sales fell in the food, beverages and tobacco sector (-0.1%).
Eurostat said that in annual terms, sales of motor fuel increased by 8.5%, while sales of non-food products increased by 2.5%. However, sales of food, beverages and tobacco products fell by 1.2%.