In August 2019, Croatia was among the EU member states with the largest monthly declines in retail trade, which increased mildly in the EU28, Eurostat said on Thursday.

In August 2019 compared with July 2019, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade in Croatia decreased by 1.1%. The largest decreases were observed in Austria and Slovakia (both -1.3%).

The highest increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Portugal (+1.1%), Estonia (+1.0%) and Finland (+0.8%).

In the EU 28, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade increased by 0.2% from July to August 2019.

In August 2019 compared with August 2018, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 2.5% in the EU28.

Among member states for which data are available, the highest yearly increases in the total retail trade volume were registered in Romania (+7.4%), Malta (+6.2%), and Hungary (+5.9%). Decreases were observed in Slovakia (-3.0%) and Luxembourg (-1.5%).

In Croatia, the yearly retail trade volume increased by 0.4%.