Brazil’s retail sector started 2026 on a stronger footing, with year-over-year sales growth edging up to 2.8% in January 2026, compared with a 2.3% annual increase recorded in December 2025. The latest figures, updated on 11 March 2026, highlight a modest acceleration in consumer activity at the start of the year.
The current reading measures the change in January 2026 retail sales relative to January 2025, while the previous figure reflected December 2025 sales compared with December 2024. The step-up from 2.3% to 2.8% suggests improving momentum in household spending, a key component of Brazil’s domestic demand and an important signal for the broader economic outlook.