Latvia's retail trade growth was stronger than EU average in July - Eurostat

RIGA - In July 2021, retail trade in Latvia grew by 4.8 percent against the same period a year ago, which is above the European Union's (EU) average figure, according to Eurostat's latest retail trade data on 23 of the bloc's member states.

The steepest retail trade growth in annual terms was recorded in Bulgaria (20.1 percent), followed by Croatia (12.9 percent), Lithuania (12.4 percent), Malta (11.4 percent) and Estonia (11 percent). In total, 19 member states reported a rise in retail sales.

Retail sales dropped in Luxembourg (5.6 percent), Austria (2.4 percent), Germany (0.3 percent) and Spain (0.1 percent).

Compared to July 2021, retail trade quickened by 3.8 percent in the EU and 3.1 percent in the eurozone.

Meanwhile, when compared to the previous month, retail trade declined 1.9 percent in the EU and by 2.3 percent in the eurozone.

Latvia saw a 1.5 percent month-on-month drop in retail trade.

Retail trade data for June 2021 were unavailable from the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy and Cyprus.