According to the latest report of the European Union statistics bureau (Eurostat), in March 2010, the retail sales in the euro area (16 countries) decreased by 0.2%, and the total retail sales in the 27 countries increased by 0.3% over the previous month.

In March 2010, the retail sales in the euro area decreased by 0.1% compared with the same period last year, and the retail sales volume of the 27 countries increased by 0.3% over the same period last year.

Data show that in February 2010, the retail sales of textiles, clothing and footwear in the euro area decreased by 1.1%, an increase of 1.8% over the same period last year, while the retail sales of textiles, clothing and footwear in the 27 countries decreased by 0.6%, an increase of 3.9% over the same period last year.