Colombia Retail Sales Rise in May

Colombia's real retail sales rose 11.7% year-on-year in May 2026, slightly above market expectations of 11.2%, but easing from a 14.9% increase in April. Eighteen merchandise categories recorded growth in real sales, while only one posted a decline. The largest contributions came from motor vehicles and motorcycles primarily for household use (40%), audio and video equipment (64.9%), and other motor vehicles and motorcycles (13.3%). Meanwhile, sales of books, stationery, newspapers, magazines, and school supplies surged 148%. In contrast, sales of motor vehicle fuels declined 1.7%. Employment in the retail sector increased 1.6% compared with May 2025.

Retail sales in Colombia rose 14.9% year-on-year in April 2026, beating forecasts of 11.4% and accelerating from a 13.4% increase in March. Retail activity was broadly positive, with 18 merchandise categories posting higher real sales and only one recording a decline. The strongest contributions came from motor vehicles and motorcycles mainly for household use (49.8%), other motor vehicles and motorcycles (43.8%), and information technology and telecommunications equipment for personal or household use (20.9%). In contrast, sales of fuels for motor vehicles fell 0.3%. Excluding fuel sales, real retail sales increased 18.5%.

Retail sales in Colombia rose 13.4% year-on-year in March 2026, beating forecasts of 10.1% and accelerating from a 10.9% increase in February. Growth was broad-based, with all 19 retail categories posting gains. The strongest contributions came from motor vehicles and motorcycles mainly for household use (35.8%), other motor vehicles and motorcycles (34.8%), and computer and telecommunications equipment for personal or household use (26.8%). Excluding fuel sales, real retail sales advanced 15.6%. Employment in the retail sector also increased 1.9% from a year earlier. In the first quarter of 2026, retail sales rose 10.8% compared with the same period in 2025.