Brazil’s retail sales volume inched up 0.1% month-over-month in May 2026, recovering partially from a 1.6% drop in April but coming in below market expectations of a 0.5% increase. By segment, the strongest monthly advances were registered in books, newspapers, magazines, and stationery (15.2%); textiles, apparel, and footwear (3.1%); furniture and household appliances (2.7%); pharmaceutical and personal care products (1.4%); and fuels and lubricants (1.1%).
The steepest declines occurred 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 encompass vehicles, construction materials, and wholesale food, beverages, and tobacco—slipped 0.2% in May from the previous month, extending a 0.7% contraction in April. On a yearly basis, overall retail sales rose 0.4%, easing from a 1.0% gain recorded in April.