Retailers in the 15 countries sharing the euro saw demand fall faster than expected in October, official EU data showed today, adding to the gloom hanging over the bloc's economy.
The volume of retail sales in the eurozone fell 0.8% in October over one month and 2.1% over one year, the Eurostat data agency said.
Economists had predicted that retail sales would fall only 0.4% over one month and 1.5% over one year.
Today's figures also mark a deterioration from September when retail sales were flat compared to August and fell 1.4% over one year.
In the 27 nation-EU, retail sales eased 0.3% in October from September and fell 0.8% over one year.
