São Paulo – The São Paulo Supermarket Association (Apas) has reviewed upwards its forecasts for sector growth by 4.5% in 2009. In the first half, sales grew 5.85%.
In early 2009, Apas had forecasted annual growth of 2.5%, a little optimistic expectation when faced with the strong 10.5% growth in sales all over the country in 2008.
The supermarkets of the state of São Paulo grew 4.88% in June, when compared to the same month last year, although they dropped 6.23% when compared to May this year. If the nominal result is considered, there was 5.8% reduction in sales in June and positive growth of 11.4% in the accumulated result for the year.
The good result, according to the organisation, is due to the population’s priority of buying food when faced with the crisis, which should not be repeated in the second half of the year, when the recovery of supermarkets and of the economy should provide consumers an opportunity to turn their budgets to other areas and contemplate other priorities.
Among the categories of products that stand out in sales in the period are non-alcoholic beverages (mineral water and liquid tea), personal hygiene and beauty products (sun tan lotion, soap and mouth wash), frozen food (potatoes), pasta and industrialized bread.
About Apas
The São Paulo Supermarket Association represents the supermarket sector in the state of São Paulo and aims at integrating the entire supply chain. The organisation has around 1,100 associates, with around 2,200 shops.
*Translated by Mark Ament
