Brazil September Retail Sales Growth Eases More Than Expected

(RTTNews) - Brazil's retail sales increased at a notably slower pace in September, and the rate of growth missed economists expectations, latest data showed Wednesday.

Retail sales volume increased a seasonally adjusted 0.5 percent month-on-month in September, following the previous month's 0.9 percent gain, statistical office IBGE said. Economists had forecast a 0.8 percent growth.

Trade in fuels and lubricants moved up 0.8 percent sequentially, and sales at hypermarkets and supermarkets; as well as those of food products, beverages and tobacco advanced 0.6 percent. Meanwhile, sales of textiles, clothing and footwear stayed unchanged.

Year-on-year, retail trade advanced 4.1 percent in September, slower than the 6.2 percent gain seen in August. Expectations were for a 4.6 percent rise.

Extended retail trade, excluding sales of motor vehicles, motorcycles and parts; and building materials, decreased 0.7 percent month-on-month in September. Annually, extended retail sales climbed 7.5 percent, which was slower than the 8.2 percent growth economists forecast.