RETAIL TRADE: INCREASE IN SALES IN THE EU.

The volume of retail trade increased by 2.6% in the European Union in March 2002, as compared to March 2001, according to figures published on May 28 by Eurostat, the EU Statistics Office. Retail sales of food, drinks and tobacco rose by 2.4%. Sales of food in specialised stores fell by 0.5% in the EU, while sales in non-specialised stores increased by 2.1%. The non-food sector gained 1.7% while textiles, clothing and footwear grew by 4.5% in the EU. Retail sales of household goods fell by 0.2%. Compared to March 2001, the volume of retail trade increased in all Member States except for Germany (-1.2%) and the Netherlands (-0.5%). The highest growth rates were observed in Spain (8.7%), Portugal (8.2%), United Kingdom (5.0%)...