In January 2018, the volume of retail trade sales increased by 0.9% against the result of December 2017, in the seasonally asdjusted series, making up for the decrease recorded in December (-0.5%).

As a result, the quarterly moving average of the quarter ended January (0.3%) reversed the decrease against the quarter ended December (-0.1%).

In the seasonally adjusted series, versus January 2017, the retail trade sales volume increased 3.%, the tenth positive rate in a row in this type of comparison. 

The cumulative index in 12 months increased 2.5% in January and recorded its biggest increase since November 2014 (2.6%), having remained on an upward trend since October 2016 (-6.8%).

The volume of sales of the extended retail trade (retail trade and the activities of Vehicles, motorcycles, parts and pieces and Construction material) recorded a change of -0.1% against December 2017, after facing decrease (-0.4%) in December. The quarterly moving average of volume of sales for extended retail trade increased 0.6% in the quarter ended January, with a change above that of the quarter ended December (0.1%).

Versus the result of January 2017, the volume of sales of extended retail trade increased by 6.5%, the ninth positive result in a row. The cumulative index in the last 12 months increased 4.6% in January 2018, the biggest positive increase since September 2013 (4.9%), keeping the upward trend observed since July 2016 (-10.4%). The complete publication, the time series and an introduction to the PMC are available on the right of the page. 

Five of the eight activities surveyed recorded positive changes from December/2017 to January/2018

The increases of 0.9% in volume of sales of retail trade from December 2017 to January 2018, in the seasonally adjusted series, had an overall profile of increase in five of the eight activities surveyed.  Among them, the most significant advances were those of Hypermarkets, supermarkets, food products, beverages and tobacco (2.3%) and  Other articles of personal and domestic use domestic (6.8%), both making up for the decreases registered in the previous month, of -1.7% and -7.2%, respectively.

Also with a positive result against December 2017, we can mention: Office, computer and communication material and equipment  (3.7%); Fabric, apparel and footwear(0.9%); and  Books, newspapers, magazines and stationery (0.3%).  On the other hand,with a decrease against December 2017: Pharmaceuticals, medical and orthopedic articles, toiletries and cosmetics, (-2.5%); Furniture and household appliances  (-2.3%); and Fuels and lubricants (-0.3%).

Considering extended retail trade, the result was close to stability (-0.1%), after a decrease of 0.4% in the previous month, with Vehicles and motorcycles, parts and pieces recording an increase of 3.8%, whereas Construction material  recorded a decrease of 0.2%).

In January 2018, compared to the same period a year ago, the volume of retail trade recorded an increase of 3.2%, the tenth positive rate in a row and the least significant decrease in the last three months. The positive result of January was widespread, and reached six of the eight activities that form retail trade.  In order of contribution to the overall rate, the results were: Hypermarkets, supermarkets, food products, beverages and tobacco (3.1%);Other articles of personal and domestic use (10.5%);Furniture and household appliances (5.3%);Pharmaceuticals, medical and orthopedic articles, toiletries and cosmetics (5.4%);Fabric, apparel and footwear (0.2%) and Office, computer and communication material and equipment (4.2%).

On the other hand, Fuels and lubricants (-4.0%); and Books, newspapers, magazines and stationery (-7.3%).

The sector of Hypermarkets, supermarkets, food products, beverages and tobacco, with an increase of 3.1% in the volume of sales against January 2017, accounted for the biggest negative impact on the overall performance of retail trade.  The increase of the usual real wage bill of salaried persons and the systematic decrease of inflation regarding food at home were the main factors accounting for the positive performance of the sector.  In terms of the cumulative index in 12 months that activity recorded an increase of 1.7% and has remained so since March 2017 (-3.0%).

The group of Other personal and household articles, which encompasses department stores, jewelry shops, sporting goods stores and toy stores, recorded an increase of 10.5% in the comparison with January 2017, being above the overall retail trade rate.  With the result of January, the sector accounted for the second main positive influence on the overall retails trade rate.  The cumulative indicator in the last 12 months, with a rate of 3.2%, the highest since September 2015 (3.4%) has been in recovery since September 2016 (-10.4%). 

The sector of furniture and household appliances recorded an increase of 5.3%, and accounted for the third biggest contribution to the overall retail trade rate, against that of January a year ago. That was the tenth consecutive positive rate, and the most significant since May 2017 (14.0%).  That result, above the overall average of sales, is related to the increased availability of credit to natural persons.  In terms of cumulative result in the last 12 months, the rate was 9.6%, keeping the recovery mode initiated in March 2016 (-16.6%).

The volume of sales of Pharmaceuticals, medical and orthopedic articles, toiletries and cosmetics recorded an increase of 5.4% against the figure in January 2017. As an essential activity, pharmaceuticals recorded, in January 2018, the tenth positive rate in a row.  As for the cumulative index in the last 12 months, the result of 3.1% has kept the sector on an upward trend since April 2017 (-3.5%).

Fabric, apparel and footwear, with a change of 0.2% against January 2017, recorded the thirteenth positive rate in a row, and, in spite of that, the lowest in the period. The cumulative indicator in the last 12 months, with a change of 7.7%, kept the recovery observed since October 2016 (-11.5%).

The activity Office, computer and communication material and equipment , with a change of 4.2% in volume of sales in comparison with the same month a year ago, recorded increase in this comparison after three negative rates in a row.  The cumulative rate in 12 months, although still negative (-2.3%), also pointed to a trend of recovery since March 2017 (-10.8%).

Fuels and lubricants, with a change of -4.0% in comparison with the same month a year ago, accounted for the biggest contribution to the overall result of retail trade. That is the eighth negative change in a row. The rise of fuel prices above the average price change has been a negative contribution this sector. As a result, the cumulative indicator in 12 months still records decrease (-3.1%), though it has been on an upward trend since February 2017 (-8.9%).

The activity Books, newspapers, magazines and stationery recorded a change in the volume of sales of -7.3% against January 2017, mainly in the case of newspapers and magazines, as a consequence of the replacement of some products by electronic means. The cumulative index in 12 months remains negative (-3.7%), but with a trend to increase since October 2016 (-16.8%). 

Extended retail trade had a change of 6.5% against figures in January 2017. That behavior was mainly observed due to the positive performance of Vehicles and motorcycles, parts and pieces which, with an interannual result of 18.2% corresponded to 58.5% of the extended retail. With the result of January, extended retail completes the ninth positive rate in a row. The sector of Vehicles and motorcycles, parts and pieces recorded an increase of 18.2% in volume of sales against January 2017, the highest rate since April 2013 (22.5%).

The cumulative indicator in the last 12 months, with a positive change of 4.5%, had the highest result since July 2013 (6.2%) and has remained on an upward trend since February 2017 (-13.2%). The segment of Construction material, with a rate of 7.3%, completes niner months of expansion against the previous year, but with the smallest change since June 2017 (6.7%). The cumulative indicator in 12 mnths, with an increase of 9.4%, has been on an upward trend since July 2016 (-12.9%) and recorded the highest result since April 2012 (9.4%).

Sales increase in 19 of the 27 Federation Units surveyed

From December 2017 to January 2018, in the seasonally adjusted series, retail trade sales increased in 19 of the 27 Federation Units, a main highlight being Roraima (8.6%); Amapá (8.4%) and Rio Grande do Norte (7.6%). Piauí registered stability (0.0%). On the other hand, Espírito Santo (-2.9%) and Goiás (-2.1%) accounted for the main decreases in sales in this type of comparison. 

Against January 2017, in the original series, retail trade recorded an increase in volume of sales in 19 of the 27 fedration Units; the positive highlights, in terms of rate, were: Rondônia (18.2%), Santa Catarina (15.5%) and Roraima (14.5%). On the contrary, Goiás (-9.2%) had the most significant negative rate among all the Federation Units. As for participation in the rate composition, stood out: Santa Catarina (15.5%), São Paulo (2.0%) and Rio Grande do Sul (7.2%).