Brazil’s retail sales dropped in March

Retail sales in Brazil dropped 1.37% y/y in March 2020, in volume terms, as many states adopted quarantine measures from mid-March to cope with the spread of COVID-19. On the other hand, sales revenue climbed by 2.6% y/y, indicating retail prices increased in the period.

The extended retail contraction was 6.3% y/y in volume terms and 2.8% y/y in terms of sales revenue

In the extended retail - which includes also vehicles, auto parts and building materials - the contraction was 6.3% y/y in volume terms and 2.8% y/y in terms of sales revenue. The most affected segments in the retail sales was clothing and footwear, which decreased by 39.6% y/y, and vehicles, motorcycles and auto parts on the extended retail side, contracting by 20.8% y/y in March 2020.

Detailed data and analysis on COVID-19 and its economic impact can be found in CEIC COVID-19 Impact and Outbreak Monitor.