Spain’s retail sector lost significant momentum in April 2026, with year‑on‑year sales growth slowing to 0.8%, down from a robust 4.1% in March. The latest figures, updated on 28 May 2026, highlight a marked deceleration in consumer activity after a strong start to the spring.
Both the current and previous readings compare monthly retail sales to the same month a year earlier. While March’s 4.1% increase pointed to solid consumer demand, April’s 0.8% gain indicates that growth has largely stalled in relative terms, suggesting more cautious household spending or a normalization following earlier strength.
The sharp moderation in annual retail growth could temper expectations for Spain’s domestic demand in the second quarter, as retailers and investors reassess how resilient consumer spending will remain in the face of shifting economic conditions.
