Brazil’s retail sector lost momentum in February, with year-over-year sales growth slowing to 0.2%, down markedly from a 2.8% increase recorded previously. The figures, updated on 15 April 2026, underscore a sharp deceleration in consumer activity compared with the same month a year earlier.
Both the current and previous readings are based on year-over-year comparisons, measuring how retail sales in February 2026 stack up against February 2025. The latest print shows that while retail sales are still marginally higher than a year ago, the pace of expansion has almost come to a standstill, suggesting softer consumer demand or a possible normalization after stronger growth earlier in the year.
The February slowdown follows a more robust 2.8% year-over-year gain registered in the prior comparison period, indicating that the retail sector may be entering a more cautious phase. Market participants will be watching upcoming releases closely to see whether this moderation is temporary or the start of a more prolonged cooling in Brazilian consumer spending.
