Euro zone retail sales growth slowed in December 2025, pointing to a moderation in consumer spending at the end of the year. Year-over-year, retail sales in the currency bloc rose 1.3%, down from a revised 2.4% increase recorded in November 2025.
The figures, updated on 5 February 2026, compare each month’s performance with the same month a year earlier. While November’s data had suggested relatively solid consumer activity heading into the holiday period, the weaker December reading indicates that momentum cooled as the year closed.
The deceleration in annual retail sales growth may raise questions about the strength of household demand in the euro area, a key driver of the region’s economic outlook. Investors and policymakers will be watching upcoming data closely to assess whether December’s softer reading marks the start of a broader trend or a temporary pause after a stronger November.
