*Brazil’s national statistics institute (Ibge) has released its latest retail sales figures, showing a monthly rise in sales volume of 1.0% in February, the second consecutive month in which a monthly increase has been registered. According to an Ibge press release, this marks the first time since September 2022 that retail sales showed monthly increases for two consecutive months. Sales volume in February 2024 was also up 8.2% compared to the same month last year. Of the eight product categories measured, six registered monthly rises in February. The category with the greatest monthly increase was pharmaceutical, medical, and orthopaedic items & perfumes (+9.9%). The categories which saw monthly slumps in sales were fuels & lubricants (-2.7%) and supermarkets, food, drinks & smoking products (-0.2%).