Brazil’s retail sector slipped back into contraction at the end of 2025, with month-over-month sales falling 0.4% in December, according to data updated on 13 February 2026. The decline marks a reversal from November 2025, when retail sales had grown 1.0% compared with October, extending a short-lived positive trend.
On a month-over-month basis, the latest reading shows that consumer activity cooled notably in December versus November. While November’s 1.0% increase highlighted a period of improving momentum, December’s -0.4% figure suggests that retailers faced softer demand during the final month of the year, interrupting the prior pace of expansion.
The comparison underscores a clear shift in direction: the “actual” data for December 2025 reflects a drop from the “previous” performance in November, when sales had been rising. Market participants and policymakers will now be watching upcoming releases closely to determine whether December’s downturn is a temporary setback or an early sign of broader consumer weakness heading into 2026.
