Eurostat retail trade statistics for March 2026

In March 2026, Cyprus recorded a 0.5% monthly increase in retail sales volume and a 6.1% annual growth rate, one of the highest among EU member states. Across the European Union, the seasonally adjusted retail trade volume rose by 0.3% in March compared to February, while the Eurozone saw a slight decline of 0.1%. On an annual basis, EU retail sales grew by 1.9% and the Eurozone by 1.2% compared to March 2025. Monthly trends in the Eurozone showed a 0.3% decrease in food, drinks, and tobacco, a 0.6% increase in non-food products, and a 1.6% drop in automotive fuel. The largest monthly gains were observed in Slovenia (4.3%), Luxembourg (4.0%), and Belgium (3.6%). Conversely, annual retail trade data showed notable growth in Bulgaria (12.4%), Hungary (8.2%), and Malta (7.5%), with declines reported in Germany and Romania. These figures represent the latest estimates released by Eurostat on May 7, 2026.