Retail sales increase and hit a record in the first month of 2023, according to IBGE.
Based on the figures, the accumulated figure over 12 months totals 1,3%, slightly above that recorded in December (1%).
Current Brazil Network - Retail sales volume grew 3,8% from December to January, a record result for the period, according to... IBGECompared to January of last year, the increase was 2,6%. According to data released this Wednesday (12), the accumulated figure over 12 months totals 1,3%, slightly above that recorded in December (1%).
The research manager, Cristiano Santos, noted that sales had not grown since September. "This is an important result, because the retail sector had been experiencing negative results or stability," he stated.
Activities in high demand
The so-called expanded retail sector, which includes vehicles/parts and construction materials, varied by 0,2% in the month and grew by 0,5% compared to January 2022. Over 12 months, it shows a decrease of 0,5%.
Seven of the eight activities surveyed by IBGE showed positive results in the first month of the year. Highlights include Textiles, clothing and footwear (27,9%), Equipment and materials for office, IT and communication (7,4%), and Hypermarkets, supermarkets, food products, beverages and tobacco (2,3%). The exception was Pharmaceutical, medical, orthopedic and perfumery articles (-1,2%). Vehicles/parts varied -0,2%, while construction materials grew 2,9%.
New series
Compared to January of last year, the institute found increases in six of the eight activities. The fuel and lubricant sector, for example, registered an increase of 26,7%, totaling 19,4% over 12 months. Furniture/appliances rose 3,4% (-5,6% over 12 months), and the sector encompassing hypermarkets and supermarkets, as well as beverages and food, increased by 2,2% (1,6% over a year). The pharmaceutical and medical supplies sector fell by 7,6%. In the broader retail sector, the vehicle/parts segment rose by 4,4%.
Today's release is the first in the new series of the Monthly Trade Survey, which has undergone updates to its database and methodology "to reflect economic changes in society." With the January result, IBGE reports that the sector "reduces the gap to the series' record level (October 2020), which is now -2,9%."