Retail sales across Europe reported their second straight month of growth, although the results marked a slowdown from January. The growth was fuelled by increased demand for both food and non-food products, with the latter performing stronger.
According to new figures from Eurostat, sales in February grew by 0.4% month-on-month in 18-member eurozone and by 0.5% in the 28-member EU bloc. Compared to last year, sales were up 0.8% and 1.5%, respectively.

The overall sales growth follows a month-on-month rise of 1.0% in the eurozone and 0.6% in the EU, and a year-on-year rise of 0.8% and 1.5%, respectively, recorded in the month of January.

For February, Sales of food, drinks & tobacco rose by 0.3% month-on-month in the eurozone and by 0.6% in the EU, while non-food sales were up a stronger 0.8% in both regions, respectively. Compared to February 2013, sales of food, drinks & tobacco declined by 0.4% in the eurozone and edged up 0.3% in the EU, although non-food sales were up a strong 2.0% and 1.5%, respectively. 

Source: www.kamcity.com