In October 2025, the volume of retail sales in the country grew 0.5% compared to September. This was the first statistically significant increase in this indicator since March. Compared to October of last year, retail sales grew 1.1%, accumulating 1.5% for the year and 1.7% over the last 12 months. The data comes from the Monthly Survey of Trade, released today (11) by the IBGE.

For Cristiano Santos, manager of the Monthly Survey of Trade, the 0.5% increase in the seasonally adjusted series “breaks with the observed pattern of small or negative changes. It was a widespread increase, as the volume of sales grew in seven of the eight sectors investigated by the survey”.

October brought increases in seven of the eight retail activities

From September to October 2025, in the seasonally adjusted series, seven of the eight retail trade activities showed positive rates in the volume of sales: Office, computer and communication equipment and materials (3.2%), Fuels and lubricants (1.4%), Furniture and household appliances (1.0%), Books, newspapers, magazines and stationery (0.6%), Other personal and household goods (0.4%), Pharmaceutical, medical, orthopedic and perfumery articles (0.3%) and Hypermarkets, supermarkets, food products, beverages and tobacco (0.1%). The only negative result was in Textiles, apparel and footwear (-0.3%). According to Mr. Santos, "this drop was mainly due to the wearing apparel sector, fashion prducts and accessories."

Expanded retail grows 1.1% compared to September

Also in comparison with September, in the seasonally adjusted series, the extended retail trade grew 1.1%. In this segment, two activities showed positive rates in volume of sales: Vehicles and motorcycles, parts and pieces (3.0%) and Construction materials (0.6%).

The survey manager notes that "this result for the extended retail sector was heavily influenced by vehicles, motorcycles, parts and pieces, and by the specialized wholesale activity of food products, beverages and tobacco."

Compared to the same month in 2024, sales grew in six of the eight activities

In comparison with the same month last year, the volume of sales of retail trade grew by 1.1%, with increases in six of the eight activities surveyed: Office, computer and communication equipment and materials (8.1%), Pharmaceutical, medical, orthopedic and perfumery articles (5.7%), Furniture and household appliances (3.5%), Other personal and domestic goods (2.0%), Books, newspapers, magazines and stationery (0.9%) and Hypermarkets and supermarkets, food products, beverages and tobacco (0.3%). The only negative change in this comparison was in the Textiles, apparel and footwear sector (-3.3%). The Fuels and Lubricants sector showed stability in this comparison (0.0%).

In the extended retail trade, Vehicles, motorcycles, parts and accessories fell 4.3% compared to January 2024, Construction Materials had a drop of 3.9%. Sales in the Wholesale sector of food products, beverages and tobacco grew 1.9%.

Compared to September, retail sales showed positive rates in 19 of the 27 FUs

In relation to September, 19 of the 27 Federation Units showed increases in the volume of sales, with Espírito Santo (2.7%), Rondônia (2.6%) and the Federal District (2.5%) standing out. On the other hand, seven of the 27 FUs had negative rates in this indicator, mainly Mato Grosso (-1.8%), Rio Grande do Sul (-1.2%) and Maranhão (-1.0%). Santa Catarina registered stability (0.0%).

In the extended retail sector, the change between September and October 2025 was 1.1%, with positive results in 18 of the 27 Federation Units. The highlights were Amapá (2.8%), Pernambuco (2.3%), and the Federal District (2.2%). On the other hand, the volume of sales decreased in nine of the 27 FUs, mainly in Rio Grande do Sul (-2.6%), Alagoas (-1.4%), and Tocantins (-0.7%).

Compared to October 2024, the change in retail sales was 1.1%, with positive results in 20 of the 27 Federation Units. The highlights were Amapá (10.1%), Rio Grande do Norte (8.3%), and Santa Catarina (4.8%). On the negative side, there were six rates, mainly in Roraima (-8.9%), Piauí (-4.1%), and Rio de Janeiro (-1.8%). São Paulo showed stability (0.0%) in the volume of sales.

However, in the extended retail trade, compared to October of last year, the volume of sales decreased (-0.3%). There were positive results in 16 of the 27 Federation Units, with Tocantins (13.2%), Amapá (7.9%) and Mato Grosso (7.6%) standing out. On the other hand, 11 FUs had negative results, notably Piauí (-4.4%), São Paulo (-3.1%) and Rio Grande do Sul (-2.6%).

More about the survey

The Monthly Survey of Trade (PMC) monitors the current behavior of retail trade in the country, investigating the gross resale revenue of formally constituted companies with 20 or more employees whose main activity is retail trade. Started in 1995, the PMC provides monthly results on the change in volume and nominal sales revenue for retail trade and retail trade. This has been expanded (vehicles and construction materials) to include Brazil and its Federation Units. The results can be consulted on Sidra. The next PMC release, referring to November 2025, will be on January 15, 2026.

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