Brazil: Retail sales shrink at a softer rate in December
Retail sales declined 0.1% in month-on-month seasonally-adjusted terms in December, which contrasted November’s 0.4% increase. The figure was largely due to a deterioration in supermarkets, food, drinks and tobacco sales. In addition, other articles for household and personal use sales fell notably. Lastly, textiles, clothing and footwear sales rose at a stronger rate, while furniture and appliances sales gained pace.
On an annual basis, retail sales fell at a softer rate of 2.9% in December (November: -4.2% yoy), the highest result since July. Meanwhile, annual average retail sales growth came in at 1.4% for 2021 as a whole, rising slightly from 2020’s 1.2% increase.