It was the tenth consecutive month of decline in retail activity but the softest fall since September last year, as sales decreased less for non-food products (-7.1% vs -8.3% in January).

Meanwhile, sales slowed down for automotive fuel (0.3% vs 1.2%), while it dropped further for food, beverages and tobacco (-7.6% vs -6.9%).

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales decreased by 0.4%, reversing an upwardly revised 0.8% rise in January.