Retail sales in the eurozone overall rose at their greatest rate in nearly eight years in December.
Sales of goods went up on average by 0.3% in the 19-nation bloc, according to Eurostat data. The rise in December was the third month in a row.
In Portugal, however, retailers suffered a fall of -3.8%. This was the biggest monthy decrease of any eurozone nation.
Portuguese retailers have been on something of a rollercoaster as there was an uplift in sales in July and August, followed by a downturn in September and October. November brought an increase in sales but hopes were dashed by lower consumer purchases in December.
On a brighter note, sales were up in every month save November 2014 when compared to 2013.
In the last ten years, the least retail trade across the region was recorded in December 2012 followed by another low point in June 2013.
The picture for the whole eurozone area was rosier too as purchases in December were 2.8% greater than in December 2013.
The highest increases in total retail trade were in Luxembourg (9.2%) and Spain (6.6%)
