Retail trade volumes across the euro area and the European Union (EU) increased modestly in November 2025, continuing a trend of slow but steady growth in consumer spending, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Commission.

The volume of retail trade—a key EU retail sales indicator used by industry analysts and policymakers—rose by 0.2 per cent compared with October 2025, while annual figures showed stronger growth compared with the same month in 2024.

Retail sales growth and sector variation in the euro area

Eurostat’s latest report indicates seasonally adjusted retail trade volume grew by 0.2 per cent month-on-month in both the euro area and the EU in November, following a 0.3 per cent increase in the euro area and 0.2 per cent in the EU in October.

Breaking down the EU retail sales data by sector:

• Non-food products (excluding automotive fuel) were the main driver of growth, rising by 0.4 per cent month-on-month in both the euro area and the EU.
• Food, drinks and tobacco saw a 0.2 per cent monthly decrease in the euro area, while remaining stable across the EU.
• Automotive fuel volumes were slightly lower in specialised stores across the euro area.

These nuances in sector performance highlight how consumer demand patterns vary across categories even within overall modest sales growth.

Annual retail trade trends in euro area and EU

Year-on-year retail sales volumes were notably stronger in November 2025, rising by 2.3 per cent compared with November 2024 in both the euro area and the wider EU.

Sector results for the year show:

• Non-food products (excluding automotive fuel) led the gains, up 3.5 per cent in the euro area and 3.6 per cent in the EU.
• Food, drinks and tobacco recorded positive growth, though more moderate than non-food categories.
• Automotive fuel in specialised stores also expanded in annual terms.

Among member states with available data, Cyprus, Portugal and Denmark posted some of the largest increases in total retail trade volume compared with the previous year, while Romania, Slovakia and Austria were among those with declines.

Implications for retail market outlook and economic context

The November data suggests euro area retail sales remain resilient despite broader economic headwinds including inflation and supply chain pressures.

The EU retail sales index is widely followed by industry stakeholders for signs of shifts in consumer behaviour and demand in key markets.

Retail trade volume reflects changes in the real sales activity of the sector, excluding price movements. Sustained volume growth can signal stable consumer confidence and underpin forecasts for retail performance in 2026.

Data from previous months indicate a long-term recovery pattern after the effects of global disruptions earlier in the decade, though growth rates have generally been moderate.

The Eurostat release provides a baseline reference for policymakers and retail trade analysts assessing market trends, including comparisons across national retail markets within the EU.

The next update is scheduled for early February 2026 and will cover December 2025 retail sales figures.