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Luxembourg (dpa) - Retail sales in the euro zone benefited less than expected from the Christmas business in December.
The turnover of the branch increased by 2.0 percent compared to the previous month, announced the European statistical office Eurostat in Luxembourg.
Analysts had expected an average increase of 2.8 percent.
In November sales had fallen by a revised 5.7 percent (initially minus 6.1 percent).
The Christmas business was burdened by the ongoing corona pandemic.
In Germany, for example, shops were closed in the second half of December.
As a result, retail sales in Germany fell particularly sharply at 9.6 percent.
Only in the Netherlands did they yield even more.
In contrast, France achieved the strongest increase with a plus of 22.3 percent.
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Compared to the same month last year, sales in December rose by 0.6 percent.
A more significant increase of 1.2 percent was expected here.
The year 2020 as a whole was also particularly difficult for the retail sector due to the store closings in the corona pandemic.
Sales fell by 1.2 percent compared to the previous year.
However, mail order and internet sales have benefited greatly.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210204-99-299616 / 2