Italian retail sales turned positive in August 2026, signaling a modest improvement in consumer spending after a contraction in the previous month.
Month-over-month, retail sales rose 0.3% in August 2026, according to the latest data updated on 2 October 2026. This follows a -0.4% decline recorded in July 2026, marking a clear turnaround in short-term momentum.
The data indicate that, on a monthly comparison basis, Italian consumers increased their spending in August relative to July, after having cut back in July versus June. While the recovery is measured, the shift from negative to positive growth suggests a stabilizing retail environment as the country moves into the latter part of 2026.
