In March of this year, retail sales in the euro area grew by 0.1% compared to February, when their rise was 0.3%, data of the Statistical Office Eurostat showed. In annual terms, growth was 0.8%. Analysts had expected an increase in the first indicator by 0.5%, in the second one - by 1.9%. The volume of retail sales in the European Union decreased in April by 0.1% after growing by 0.4% in the previous month and grew by 1.8% in annual terms. Latvia showed the biggest growth for a month - by 2.3%, the most significant decrease was observed in Ireland - by 1.7%. The most significant growth in retail sales in annual terms was recorded in Malta - by 8.6%, and Hungary - by 7.2%. The decrease was noted in Germany - by 1.3%, and Slovenia - by 0.5%.