Italy’s retail sales rose 0.2% month-on-month in May 2026, after remaining flat in April and beating market expectations for a 0.1% increase. Both food and non-food sales were up 0.2% from the previous month, with non-food sales gaining momentum from a 0.1% rise in April.
On an annual basis, retail sales grew 2.2% in May, accelerating from an upwardly revised 1.7% in April. Food sales picked up sharply, increasing 2.0% year-on-year after a 0.4% rise in the previous month, while non-food sales growth eased to 2.2% from 2.8%.
Within the non-food segment, nearly all product categories recorded annual increases, led by household appliances, radios, televisions, and audio equipment, which advanced 4.9%. Durable and non-durable household goods was the only category to decline, slipping 0.2% year-on-year.
By distribution channel, retail sales rose across all formats except out-of-store sales, which fell 2.1% compared with a year earlier.
