Apparel and footwear in the EU increased by 0.3 per cent year-on-year in November 2019 compared to the 0.1 per cent rise in the previous month. The sector started 2019 with a 0.3 per cent decline. Fashion sales increased by 2 and 2.2 per cent respectively in February and March to decline again by 4.8 per cent in April, In May too, sales in the euro zone declined by 2.4 per cent to increase by 4.6 per cent in June. In July and August, the sector moderated its growth, with increases of 0.2 per cent and started September with a 3.1 per cent rise.

On the other hand, sales of the sector in the 28 countries of the European Union were negative, with a year-on-year fall of 0.5 per cent in November. Retail trade, on the other hand, rose in the Eurozone, ending November with a year-on-year increase of 2.2 per cent. In the European Union retail trade grew by 1.9 per cen. Retail sales also increased in the main drivers of the region, with a rise of 3.2 per cent in Germany, 3 per cent in Spain and 2.6 per cnet in France. Hungary and Romania were the countries where retail trade increased the most, with increases of 7.3 per cent and 6.5 per cent respectively.