Spanish retail sales growth accelerates

Madrid: Spain’s retail sales growth accelerated in February, the statistical office INE reported Wednesday. Retail sales increased by adjusted 1.9 percent on a yearly basis, after rising 0.5 percent in January. On an unadjusted basis, retail sales growth accelerated to 4.8 percent from 2.3 percent in the previous month. Month-on-month, retail sales gained 0.5 percent, offsetting last month’s 0.4 percent fall. Food sales advanced 0.7 percent, while non-food product sales decreased 0.1 percent. Data showed that employment in retail trade increased 2.1 percent on a yearly basis. (dpa)