Italian retail sales slip 0.1% in June as food sector drags

Retail sales in Italy fell 0.1% in June compared with May, both in value and volume, with the food sector weighing down the overall performance. Non‑food categories such as appliances, IT and telecommunications held steady, while footwear and leather goods declined. Online sales continued to grow, remaining the most dynamic distribution channel and further cementing e‑commerce’s role in Italian household consumption. On a year‑on‑year basis, June sales were higher, keeping the second‑quarter outlook positive.

In Spain, the bottled olive‑oil market showed flat sales but signs of a gradual recovery. According to ANIERAC, total oil volumes for the first half of the 2025/2026 campaign were almost unchanged from the previous year, with a 3.46% rise in the second quarter. Extravergine olive oil remained dominant, while virgin olive oil recorded a modest 1.01% increase, indicating price‑sensitive consumers shifting to a lower‑priced grade. Sunflower oil continued to lead the vegetable‑oil segment, and overall sales acceleration is viewed as an early indicator of a broader consumption rebound.