Colombia Retail Sales Beat Expectations

Colombia’s real retail sales rose 14.7% year-on-year in June 2026, slightly above market expectations of 13.6% and accelerating from 11.7% in May. Seventeen merchandise lines recorded positive changes, while two declined. The largest increases were recorded in motor vehicles and motorcycles, mainly for household use (49.8%), other motor vehicles and motorcycles (52.4%), and sound and video equipment and appliances (89.9%). Meanwhile, sales of footwear, leather goods and leather substitutes fell 1.6%, while food sales declined 1.2%.

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%.