Brazil retail sales grow 1.9% in first half of year

Brazilian retail sales grew 0.5% in June, contributing to a 1.9% expansion for the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), June sales also saw a 2.9% increase compared to June 2025. Analysts attribute the growth to decelerating inflation and a 1.1% increase in the number of employed persons.

Key sectors showing growth include personal and household items (2.4%), supermarkets, and furniture (0.4%). Conversely, sectors such as books, newspapers, and clothing experienced declines.

In the digital sector, the Brazilian Association of Electronic Commerce (ABComm) reported that 2025 saw record-breaking online sales, totaling R$ 235.5 billion, a 15.3% increase from the previous year. The 'home and garden' category remains one of the top five revenue generators in digital retail, with projections for 2026 suggesting revenues could exceed R$ 258 billion.