Eurozone September retail sales fall 2%

Eurozone retail sales fell more than expected in September, according to EU statistics agency Eurostat.

Data showed a 2.0% month-on-month fall, compared with expectations of a 1.2% decline.

EU retail sales dropped 1.7% month on month. The largest decreases were observed in Belgium, down 7.4%, France 4.5% and Germany 2.2%.

In the euro area in September, the volume of retail trade decreased by 2.6% for non-food products, 1.4% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 0.2% for automotive fuels.

In the EU, the volume of retail trade decreased by 2.1% for non-food products, by 1.1% for food, drinks and tobacco and by 0.5% for automotive fuels.