Italy’s retail sector closed 2025 with a slower pace of growth, as year-over-year retail sales expansion eased to 0.9% in December, down from 1.3% in November 2025.
According to data updated on 5 February 2026, the December figure reflects the change in retail sales compared with December a year earlier, while the November reading measured the change versus November of the previous year. The loss of momentum suggests that Italian consumer spending cooled at the end of the year, potentially signaling more cautious household demand despite the typically supportive holiday season.
The deceleration in December’s year-over-year retail sales growth will be closely watched by analysts and policymakers as they assess the resilience of domestic consumption going into 2026, given its central role in sustaining Italy’s broader economic performance.
