Euro zone retail sales edged down in January 2026, interrupting the modest growth seen at the end of last year. Month-over-month, sales fell by 0.1% after a 0.2% increase in December 2025, according to data updated on 5 March 2026.
The figures show a slight weakening in consumer activity at the start of the year, following a positive but limited gain in the final month of 2025. On a month-over-month basis, the current reading compares January’s performance with December, while the previous figure reflects December’s change relative to November.
The shift from 0.2% growth to a 0.1% decline suggests that the euro area’s retail sector lost some traction after the holiday season. While the move is small in absolute terms, it may be watched closely for signs of how resilient consumer spending will be in early 2026.
