São Paulo – The turnover of Brazilian retail trade grew 5.8% in 2009. It was the lowest rate since 2004, mainly due to the reduction in sales caused by the world economic crisis. The information was culled from the Serasa Experian research company’s Trade Activity Indicator.
The furniture, household appliances and computers segment grew 12.8%. Retail sales of textiles, clothing, shoes and accessories, and vehicles, motorcycles and parts grew 7.9%. There were reductions in sales of fuels and lubricants (- 2%) and building material (- 13.7%).
According to the Serasa Experian, the good performance in retail trade in the second half of 2009 was not enough to compensate the losses caused by the effects of the international economic crisis.
In December, the turnover of retail trade grew 2.4% in comparison with November. The result was driven by furniture, household appliances and computers, which recorded growth of 3.3% compared with the previous month. Other segments that helped the performance last month were vehicles, motorcycles and parts (2.8%) and building material (2.9%).
In comparison with December 2008, retail trade grew 10.8% last month. The highlights were vehicles, motorcycles and parts (+ 22.9%); textiles, clothing, shoes and accessories (+ 22.2%); and furniture, household appliances and computers (+ 20.6%).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
