Greek Retail Sales Continue To Fall

(RTTNews) - Retail sales in Greece decreased further in October, but at a slower rate than in the previous month, initial estimates published by the Hellenic Statistical Authority showed Tuesday.

Retail sales volume, excluding automotive fuel, decreased 2.3 percent in October from the corresponding month of 2012, continuing the downward trend seen in recent months. In September, sales had recorded a 5.6 percent fall.

Sales of food products decreased 3.2 percent annually, and non-food sales fell 0.9 percent. Meanwhile, trade in automotive fuel increased by 7.2 percent.

Including automotive fuel, overall retail sales dropped 1 percent in October, following the previous month's 5.2 percent fall, data showed.

On a monthly basis, the volume of retail sales, excluding automotive fuel, declined 3 percent in October. Sales in the food sector fell 5.5 percent, while non-food sales increased 0.6 percent. There was a 1.3 percent fall in sales of automotive fuel.