Brazil retail sales rise 0.1% in August amid regional growth

Data from the IBGE indicates that Brazilian retail sales saw a slight increase of 0.1% in August compared to July. While the national retail sector has accumulated a 1.7% increase this year, certain regions have outperformed the national average. For instance, retail in the Distrito Federal grew by 1.2% in August, and Paraná recorded a 3.4% increase between January and August, doubling the national average.

In the service sector, Paraíba recorded the second-highest growth in the Northeast at 5.1% in August, while Sergipe experienced a 1.7% decline. Additionally, the Central Bank reported that real wages in the private sector grew by an average of 0.99% between July and September.

On a regional trade level, the municipality of Paranavaí reached US$ 59 million in exports between January and September, driven largely by fruit juices and essential oils. Similarly, the Apucarana region saw exports rise by 6.1%, led by furniture production in Arapongas.