Brazil Retail Sales Rebound 0.5% in October, Beating Forecasts

Overview

• Seasonally adjusted sales rose 0.5% from September, reversing the prior month’s 0.3% drop and marking the first notable increase since March.
• Seven of eight retail groups advanced, led by equipment and office/IT goods up 3.2% and fuels and lubricants up 1.4%, while textiles, clothing and footwear fell 0.3%.
• The expanded retail measure increased 1.1%, with vehicles and parts up 3.0% and construction materials up 0.6%.
• On non‑adjusted comparisons, sales were up 1.1% year over year, with year‑to‑date growth at 1.5% and the 12‑month rate at 1.7%.
• IBGE’s PMC manager described a widespread improvement across sectors, and the result topped economists’ median projection of a 0.1% rise in a year of tighter credit and resilient employment.