While the EU saw a marginal monthly decrease in trade volume, Romania's annual performance has emerged as the weakest among member states.

In February 2026, the seasonally adjusted retail trade volume decreased by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.3% across the EU compared to the previous month. This followed a period of stagnation in January 2026, where volumes remained stable. Sector-specific data for the EU indicates a 0.5% drop in food, drinks, and tobacco, and a 0.2% dip in non-food products, though automotive fuel sales provided a slight buffer with a 1.0% increase.

The annual outlook paints a more complex picture. Compared with February 2025, the calendar-adjusted retail sales index rose by 1.7% in both the euro area and the EU. This growth was largely supported by a 2.3% increase in non-food products. However, while nations like Luxembourg and Malta posted double-digit annual growth of 11.9% and 11.4% respectively, Romania reported a significant contraction.

Romania recorded the largest annual decrease in total retail trade volume in the bloc, falling by 6.8% compared to the same month last year. On a monthly basis, however, the country showed a slight recovery of 0.2% in February, following a sharp 3.2% decline in January. This performance places Romania in stark contrast to regional peers like Bulgaria, which saw a 7.3% annual increase.