EUROPE: Retail sales edge up in May | Progresiv
Retail sales in May rose in both the eurozone and the wider EU area, according to preliminary figures from Eurostat. The figures mark the third month that sales have grown in the region this year, and the second straight month they have done so. 
Eurostat said sales were up 0.2% month-on-month in the 19-member euro area, and by 0.3% month-on-month in the 28-member EU block, both on a seasonally-adjusted basis. Compared to May 2014, sales were up 2.4% in the euro area and by 3.0% in the EU.
On a monthly basis, sales of food, drinks & tobacco rose by 0.4% in the euro area, and by a similar amount in the EU. Non-food sales meanwhile, grew by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU.
On an annual basis, sales of food, drinks & tobacco rose by 1.7% in the euro area, and by 2.0% in the EU. Non-food sales meanwhile, grew by 3.4% in the euro area and by 4.2% in the EU. Growth was registered in countries such as Poland and Estonia, while Belgium and Denmark pulled down results. (www.kamcity.com)
