In March, Croatia ranked among the EU countries with the highest retail sales growth, significantly stronger than the European average, as shown by data from the European statistical office released on Tuesday.
In the eurozone, retail sales in March increased by 0.7 percent compared to the same month last year, according to statisticians. In February, it had decreased by 0.5 percent, as per revised data. In the EU, sales increased by 2.0 percent in March, following stagnation in the previous month, according to revised data.
The strongest growth in the area of the common European currency in the first spring month was recorded in the sales of food, beverages, and tobacco products, which rose by 1.1 percent. At the EU level, the largest sales growth was recorded in non-food product stores, at three percent. Only gas stations recorded a decline in sales on an annual basis, down by 0.6 percent in the eurozone and 0.5 percent in the EU.
Croatia alongside Luxembourg
The strongest annual growth in March was recorded in Poland, at 14.8 percent, while Luxembourg also recorded a double-digit growth rate of 10.3 percent. Croatia follows with a retail sales growth of 8.9 percent in March compared to the same period last year. In February, it had increased by 9.2 percent.
The largest annual decline in sales was recorded in Belgium, down by 4.6 percent. Estonia and Austria followed with declines of 2.3 and 2.0 percent, respectively.
