Brazil’s retail sector showed signs of recovery at the start of 2026, with sales rising 0.4% month-over-month in January, according to data updated on 11 March 2026. The improvement follows a 0.4% decline recorded in December 2025, marking a clear turnaround in short-term consumer activity.
On a month-over-month basis, the January 2026 print contrasts with the previous period’s negative reading, suggesting that consumer spending has regained some momentum after a soft end to 2025. The comparison indicates that while December’s retail performance weakened versus November, January managed to recoup those losses and move back into positive territory.
Market observers will likely read the shift from -0.4% to +0.4% as a tentative sign of stabilization in domestic demand, with attention now turning to whether this rebound can be sustained in the coming months and broaden across retail categories. The month-over-month framework underscores that January’s gain is measured directly against December’s decline, highlighting an early-year inflection point for Brazil’s retail landscape.
