In July, retail trade in the country recorded change of -1.1% in terms of volume of sales and of -0.7% regarding nominal revenue. Both rates were compared to those in the preceding month (seasonally adjusted series). Considering volume, a result like this had not occurred since October 2008, when there was change of -1.1%. In terms of nominal revenue, July is the second consecutive month with a negative rate, after 24 months with increase. As for the quarterly moving average, volume of sales recorded increase of -0.6%, and revenue, of -0.1%.

The other comparisons for national retail trade, from the original series (without adjustment), presented rates of -0.9% for volume of sales over July in the previous year, and of 3.5% and 4.3% cumulative in the year and in the last 12 months, respectively. Considering the same indicators, nominal revenue of sales recorded change of 5.9%, 9.8% and 10.8%, respectively.

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Among the ten activities surveyed, six recorded positive rates

In comparison with the previous year, with seasonal adjustment, six of the ten activities surveyed recorded positive changes in terms of volume of sales. In order of size of rate, results were: Vehicles and motorcycles, parts and pieces (4.3%); Construction material (3.8%); Books, newspapers, magazines and stationery (2.1%); Office, computer and communication material and equipment (0.9%); Fuels and lubricants (0.8%); Pharmaceuticals, medical and orthopedic articles, toiletries and cosmetics (0.0%); Fabric, apparel and footwear (-0.1%); Other personal and household articles (-0.4%); Hypermarkets, supermarkets, food products, beverages and tobacco (-1.3%); and Furniture and household appliances , with -4.1%.

In the comparison between July 2014 and July 2013 (seasonally adjusted series), for retail trade, two activities recorded positive rates. The results, in order of importance to the formation of the overall rate, were: -9.2% for Furniture and household appliances; -4.4% for Fabric, apparel and footwear ; -0.1% for Hypermarkets, supermarkets, food products, beverages and tobacco; -8.5% for Office, computer and communication material and equipment ; -12.4% for Books, newspapers, magazines and stationery; -0.4% forFuels and lubricants; 6.1% for Pharmaceuticals, medical and orthopedic articles, toiletries and cosmetics ; and Other personal and household articles , with 5.9%.

The activity Furniture and household appliances accounted for the biggest impact on the formation of the overall retail trade rate, with decrease of -9.2% in terms of volume of sales in relation to July 2013. This change was influences by the reduced pace of increase of credit with free resources, which, according to the Central Bank, in the last 12 months, changed from 9.2% in July 2013 to 5.0% in July this year. It is worth mentioning that the rise of the main prices in this activity area above the general index: inflation affecting furniture was 8.4%; and electronic appliances, 8.3%, versus the overall index of 6.5% in the last 12 months, according to IPCA. This result was influenced by the reduction of the number of working days compared with the same month a year ago, due to holidays during the World Cup period. The cumulative rate the year was 2.9% and in the last 12 months, 3.9%.

The segment of Fabric, apparel and footwear , which recorded a change of -4.4% in terms of volume of sales in comparison with the same month a year before, accounted for the second biggest contribution to the overall retail rate. This behavior occurred due to the reduced number of business days in relation to those in July last year, although apparel items (4.9%) have rise above the inflation rate (6.5%, according to IPCA. In terms of cumulative figures, the results were -1.3% for the first seven months of the year and 0.9% for the last 12 months.

Hypermarkets, supermarkets, food products, beverages and tobacco, with a change of -0.1% in July versus the same month a year ago, represented the third main contribution to the overall index. This activity was influenced by the reduction of the number of working days compared with the same month a year ago, due to holidays during the World Cup period. Food prices were also influential, since they rose above the overall index in the 12 month period: 7.3% in the group Food at home, versus 6.5% of the overall inflation, according to IPCA. In terms of cumulative results, change rates were: 3.0% for cumulative figures in the first seven months of the year and 3.2% for the last 12 months.

Extended retail changed 0.8% in terms of volume of sales and 1.9% in terms of nominal revenue

Considering Extended retail trade, which includes trade and the activities of Vehicles, motorcycles, parts and pieces and Construction material, recorded, in relation to the previous month, change of 0.8% for seasonally adjusted volume of sales and rate of -4,9% versus the same month a year ago. This performance reflects, above all, the behavior of Vehicles, motorcycles, parts and pieces , which presented increase of 4.3% over June 2014 (seasonally adjusted) and decrease of -12.5% in relation to July 2013. The cumulative rates of this activity were -8.6% in seven months and -5.2% in the last 12 months. Besides the reduction of the number of working days, the performance of this activity, in relation to the same month a year ago, was also influenced by the lower pace of credit and the growing use of household income, leading to deceleration of consumption.

As for the segment Construction material , changes for volume of sales were 3.8% over the previous month (seasonally adjusted) and -3.2% in relation to July 2013. The smaller number of working days also affected the performance of this activity, versus July 2013, especially concerning building works and refurbishing services. In terms of cumulative results, change rates were: 1.2% in seven months and 3.4% in the last 12 months.

Fourteen Federation units recorded positive results versus July 2013 figures 

Among the 27 Federation Units, 14 recorded positive rates in comparison with July 2014, versus July 2013. The highlights were: Acre (13.2%), Roraima (10.1%), Amapá (7.5%), Alagoas and Rondônia, with 4.7%. As for the participation in the formation of the overall rate of Retail trade, the highlights, in order of importance, were: Bahia (2.7%); Rio Grande do Sul (1.7%); Rio de Janeiro (0.9%); Ceará (2.4%); and Alagoas, with 4.7%.

In extended retail trade, seven states presented positive changes in comparison with the same period in the previous year. The biggest rates for perfromance, with reference to volume of sales, occurred in: Acre (15.1%), Rondônia (9.6%%), Roraima (9.0%); Tocantins (6.6%) and Pará, with 2.6%.

Also considering the Federation Units, the seasonally-adjusted results for volume of sales point to positive changes in three states: Amapá (2.2%); Tocantins (1.5%); and Rio Grande do Sul, with 0.5%