Data compiled by FashionUnited shows that despite the struggling economies, the Old Continent´s apparel sales are recovering from deflection. Total apparel retail turnover across the seven leading markets (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK) noted a year-on-year increase of 0.5 percent in the second quarter.

Data provided by CBS, Destatis, INE, Istat, INSEE, ONS, Statbel, Eurostat and analysed by FashionUnited points out an upward trend in sales for the European markets.

In general, sales of textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods in specialised stores increased by 0.5 percent in the second quarter of 2013 compared to the same quarter a year earlier.

5 out 7 countries reported apparel sales growth

When compared with the first quarter five out of seven countries reported growth, with Italy and Germany became the pulling machines.

Italy and Germany offered the strongest growth and saw their aggregated sales for the quarter up by 9.6 and 2.3 percent respectively. Belgium, France and the UK also reported improved sales for the quarter, although humbler than their Italian and German peers.

Spain and The Netherlands became the laggards in terms of quarterly apparel sales, with Spain remaining the worst performing market for the second quarter with a drop of 6.7 percent on a YoY basis, and The Netherlands noting a slowdown in sales growth (-2.5 percent).

Despite the positive trend and mainly due to a weak first quarter when aggregated apparel sales in Europe fell by -4.2 percent, total fashion sales reported a decline of 1.8 percent in the first six months of 2013.

Total retail trade dropped 0.9 percent in the second quarter and ended the first half of 2013 1.8 percent lower.