Italy’s retail sector showed signs of recovery at the start of 2026, with sales rising 0.6% month-over-month in January, following a sharp 0.7% decline in December 2025.
The latest data, updated on 5 March 2026, highlight a clear turnaround in consumer activity after the year-end setback. Measured on a month-over-month basis, the current figure reflects how retail sales in January 2026 compared with December 2025, while the previous reading captured the change in December 2025 relative to November 2025.
The shift from negative to positive territory suggests a stabilization in spending momentum, potentially easing immediate concerns about a deeper slowdown in domestic demand. However, with only a single month of improvement following December’s contraction, analysts are likely to watch upcoming releases closely for confirmation of a sustained recovery trend in Italy’s retail landscape.
