BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Retail trade in the euro zone rose 1.1% in June on the month, the EU's statistics agency Eurostat said on Friday, a sign that consumers may help support a weakening economy.
Retail sales in the 19-country euro zone rose far more than expected by economists polled by Reuters, who on average had forecast a 0.2% rise compared with May.
Trade was lifted by spending on vehicle fuel, food and drink and a sharp increase in sales of clothing and shoes, Eurostat data showed, more than offsetting the 0.6% drop in sales recorded in May.
In a separate release, Eurostat said prices at factory gates fell in June, compared with May, confirming weak inflation in the bloc.
Industrial producer prices fell by 0.6% in the euro zone, in the fourth consecutive monthly fall. The fall was larger than market forecasts of a 0.3% drop on the month.