France saw the strongest increase in sales (among the euro area's three largest countries), for the second month running, registering an acceleration in sales growth to the fastest since last July (the index rose from 54.7 to 56.8). Sales recovered in Germany, with the index rising sharply from 45 to a three-month high of 52.8. Sales fell slightly in Italy from 50.4 to 49.6, continuing the trend of near-stagnation seen since the start of the year.
