Greek retail sales rise 0.6 pct y/y in February

ATHENS, April 30 (Reuters) - Greek retail sales by volume rose 0.6 percent in February compared to the same month last year, statistics service ELSTAT said on Wednesday.

The reading had dropped at a revised annual pace of 0.4 percent in January, less than previously estimated.

Hit by the country's deep recession and record unemployment, retail sales declined by about 40 percent in 2009-2013 as a result of austerity policies imposed under the terms of its international bailout.

Athens and its international lenders expect private consumption to remain weak this year, despite an expected economic recovery of 0.6 percent, which is seen driven by tourism, investment and exports. ********************************************************** KEY FIGURES FEB JAN DEC NOV OCT Retail Sales* by volume y/y +0.6 -0.4** -6.1 +2.9 -1.1 Retail Sales* by revenue y/y -2.2 -2.9** -6.7 -0.1 -2.1 ----------------------------------------------- * Includes fuels and auto lubricants ** revised source: ELSTAT (Reporting by George Georgiopoulos, editing by Harry Papachristou)