*Brazil’s national statistics institute (Ibge) has released its latest figures for the country’s retail sales, showing a monthly increase of 1.2% in sales volume in May. This also marks an increase of 8.1% compared to the sales volume registered in May last year. The accumulated sales volume in the 12 months until May 2024 was up 3.4% from the previous 12-month period. Of the eight product categories measured, five saw a monthly rise in sales in May. The greatest increases were registered in other items for personal and domestic use (+1.6%) and fabrics, clothing, & footwear (+2.0%); the latter category had seen two consecutive months of decreases in sales. In a press release, the Ibge suggested several factors that could have boosted consumer confidence and retails sales in May, including an increase in credit being granted to individuals, a rise in total national income, and a higher number of people who are in employment.
- PANAMA: Mulino moves on Darién Gap pledge
- COLOMBIA: EMC splinters as peace talks resume
- In brief: Peru holds interest rates
- BRAZIL: New phase of probe into alleged spying
- In brief: Brazil’s retail sales up in May
- In brief: Guatemala’s congress rejects state of calamity over rains
- MEXICO: Sheinbaum names scion of emblematic leftists as chief of staff
- In brief: Mexico backs new US tariffs on steel, aluminium
- ARGENTINA: Milei advances with ‘phase two’ of economic plan
- In brief: IMF praises Uruguay’s economic resilience