Italian Retail Sales Drop for 2nd Month

The value of retail sales in Italy decreased 0.4% month-on-month in July 2026, following a revised 0.2% fall in June and against market forecasts for a 0.2% increase. It marked the second consecutive monthly decline, amid lower sales of both food (-0.4% vs -0.6% in June) and non-food products (-0.4% vs 0.2%). On an annual basis, retail sales went up 0.8%, the smallest increase since September 2025, decelerating from a 3.1% rise in the previous month, as growth slowed for both food (0.3% vs 1.9%) and non-food (1.1% vs 4.0%) sales. Among non-food products, notable gains were recorded in sales of household appliances, radios, televisions, and tape recorders (6.1%) and other products (5.0%), though these were partly offset by a decline in footwear, leather goods, and travel goods (-2.8%). By distribution channel, retail sales increased at large retail outlets (1.6%) and in online commerce (2.4%).

The value of retail sales in Italy edged down 0.1% month-on-month in June 2026, reversing a 0.2% rise in May and falling short of market expectations for a 0.1% gain. This was the first monthly fall since December 2025, mainly due to a decrease in food sales (-0.4% vs 0.1% in May), while growth in non-food sales was steady at 0.2%. On an annual basis, retail sales rose 3.1% in June, accelerating from a 2.2% increase in May, supported by stronger growth in non-food sales (4.0% vs 2.2%) and a sustained increase in food sales (at 1.9%). Among non-food products, gains were recorded across all categories except footwear, leather goods, and travel goods, which declined 1.2%. The largest increases were seen in household appliances, radios, televisions, and tape recorders (14.2%), as well as IT, telecommunications, and telephone equipment (12.6%). Retail sales went up across all distribution channels, notably online commerce (26.7%).

Italy's retail sales rose 0.2% month-on-month in May 2026, following a flat reading in April and exceeding market expectations for a 0.1% increase. Both food and non-food sales increased by 0.2% from the previous month, with non-food sales accelerating from a 0.1% gain in April. On an annual basis, retail sales grew 2.2% in May, up from an upwardly revised 1.7% in the previous month. Food sales accelerated to 2.0% year-on-year from 0.4%, while non-food sales growth eased to 2.2% from 2.8%. Among non-food categories, nearly all product groups posted annual gains, led by household appliances, radios, televisions, and audio equipment, which rose 4.9%, while durable and non-durable household goods was the only category to decline, falling 0.2%. By distribution channel, retail sales increased across all formats except out-of-store sales, which fell 2.1% from a year earlier.