Brazilian retail trade remained stable in March 2024, registering a variation of 0.0% compared to February, when it had increased by 1.0%. According to data from the Monthly Commerce Survey (PMC), released yesterday by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in Rio de Janeiro, the moving average grew 1.2% in the quarter ended in March. Compared to the same month in 2023, retail growth reached 5.7%.
Year-to-date, sales increased 5.9%, while in the last 12 months, the increase was 2.5%. The results indicate an economic dynamic in constant movement, as highlighted by the PMC.
However, in expanded retail trade, which includes, in addition to retail, activities such as vehicles, motorcycles, parts and pieces, construction materials, and wholesale food, beverage and tobacco products, there was a drop of 0.3% in March. In relation to the same period of the previous year, this drop was 1.5%.
Commerce sales
The research showed that seven of the eight retail activities surveyed showed negative results, although four of them remained statistically stable, with variations between 0% and -0.5%. The segment of office, IT and communication equipment and supplies recorded the biggest drop in the month, with a decline of 8.7% compared to February. This movement was influenced by the recent appreciation of the dollar, which impacted prices and affected demand in this sector, especially due to imports.
The furniture and household appliances sector also showed a significant drop of 2.4%, after months of positive results driven by promotions following a less intense Christmas in the previous year.
On the other hand, the pharmaceutical, medical, orthopedic and perfumery articles sector recorded an increase of 1.4% in March, helping to stabilize the scenario and offset the declines in other activities.
IBGE
In regional terms, 16 of the 27 federation units had positive results in the comparison between March 2024 and February, with emphasis on Sergipe (3.7%), Bahia (3.1%) and Rio Grande do Sul (2.1% ). However, some units, such as Mato Grosso (-11.2%) and Pará (-2.6%), presented negative rates.
These indicators provide a detailed view of the behavior of retail trade in the country, allowing us to monitor its economic dynamics and its contribution to the national economy. The next release with the results for April 2024 is scheduled for June 13th.
(With Agência Brasil).
