Brazil Retail Sales Edge Higher in May

2026-07-16 13:22 By Isabela Couto 1 min. read

Brazil's retail sales volume rose 0.1% month-over-month in May 2026, rebounding from a 1.6% decline in the previous month, but missing market expectations of a 0.5% increase.

Among retail categories, the strongest monthly gains were recorded in books, newspapers, magazines, and stationery (15.2%), textiles, apparel, and footwear (3.1%), furniture and household appliances (2.7%), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (1.4%), and fuels and lubricants (1.1%).

The largest declines were seen in office equipment, IT and communications (-1.7%), supermarkets, food, beverages, and tobacco (-1.5%), and other personal and household goods (-0.3%). Broad retail sales, which include vehicles, construction materials, and wholesale food, beverages, and tobacco, fell 0.2% in May from April, following a 0.7% decline in the previous month.

On an annual basis, retail sales rose 0.4%, slowing from a 1.0% increase in April.



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Brazil Retail Sales Edge Higher in May
Brazil's retail sales volume rose 0.1% month-over-month in May 2026, rebounding from a 1.6% decline in the previous month, but missing market expectations of a 0.5% increase. Among retail categories, the strongest monthly gains were recorded in books, newspapers, magazines, and stationery (15.2%), textiles, apparel, and footwear (3.1%), furniture and household appliances (2.7%), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (1.4%), and fuels and lubricants (1.1%). The largest declines were seen in office equipment, IT and communications (-1.7%), supermarkets, food, beverages, and tobacco (-1.5%), and other personal and household goods (-0.3%). Broad retail sales, which include vehicles, construction materials, and wholesale food, beverages, and tobacco, fell 0.2% in May from April, following a 0.7% decline in the previous month. On an annual basis, retail sales rose 0.4%, slowing from a 1.0% increase in April.
2026-07-16
Brazil Retail Activity Contracts in April
Brazil’s retail sales fell 1.5% month-over-month in April 2026, reversing gains recorded in previous months and missing the first-quarter momentum. Retail activity was broadly negative, with six of the eight surveyed sectors posting declines. The steepest drops came from fuels and lubricants (-6.2%), other personal and household goods (-4.6%), office equipment, IT and communication supplies (-4.5%), furniture and household appliances (-0.8%), textiles, apparel and footwear (-0.1%), and pharmaceutical and personal care products (-0.1%). In contrast, supermarkets, food, beverages and tobacco rose 1.3%, while books and stationery increased 1.1%. Regionally, 20 of Brazil’s 27 states recorded declines, led by Piauí (-3.9%), Goiás (-3.8%), Santa Catarina (-3.6%), and Amazonas (-3.6%). Expanded retail sales fell 0.7%, while annual retail sales rose 1.0%.
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Brazil Retail Sales Rise More Than Expected in March
Brazil’s retail sales increased 0.5% month-over-month in March 2026, following a 0.7% gain in February and beating expectations of a flat reading. Retail activity was broadly positive, with five of the eight surveyed sectors posting growth. The strongest increases came from office equipment, IT and communication supplies (5.7%), fuels and lubricants (2.9%), other personal and household goods (2.9%), books and stationery (0.7%), and pharmaceutical and personal care products (0.1%). In contrast, furniture and household appliances fell 0.9%, while supermarkets, food, beverages and tobacco declined 1.4%. Textiles, apparel and footwear were unchanged. Regionally, 19 of Brazil’s 27 states recorded gains, led by Maranhão (3.8%), Amazonas (3.7%), and Piauí (3.5%). Expanded retail sales rose 0.3%, while annual retail sales advanced 4.0%.
2026-05-13