FX.co ★ Brazil Retail Sales Grows Most in 10 Months

In March 2025, retail sales in Brazil experienced a robust growth of 0.8% compared to the previous month, marking the most significant increase since May 2024. This growth followed a revised increase of 0.5% in February but fell short of the projected 1.0% rise. Notably, sales in hypermarkets, supermarkets, and sectors dealing with food products, beverages, and tobacco saw an uptick of 0.4%, as consumers continued to purchase essential items despite ongoing economic challenges. Several other sectors also reported positive results, with sales of books, newspapers, magazines, and stationery surging by 28.2%, and sales in office, computer, and communication equipment and supplies rising by 3.0%. There were also increments in sales of other personal and household goods (up by 1.5%), pharmaceutical, medical, orthopedic, and perfumery articles (up by 1.2%), and textiles, clothing, and footwear (up by 1.2%). Conversely, there was a decrease in sales of fuels and lubricants, which fell by 2.1%, and furniture and household appliances, which decreased by 0.4%. Year-over-year, retail sales declined by 1.0%, a reversal from the 1.5% increase that was recorded the previous month and surpassing market expectations of a 1.0% decline.