The retail sales record an increase of 7.7% in the month of July compared to the same period last year. So they add up eight consecutive months of positive annual rates, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). This increase was mainly influenced by the Transactions in clothing, shoes and accessoriesin the middle of the summer sales and holiday season.
Within the industry, sales of groceries grew 2.8% yoy, while other products grew 17.8% yoy. With rates of 16.9%, 14.2% and 1.9% in sales of personal equipment, other goods and household appliances respectively.
This is good news for retailers. In addition, this situation reflects the diversification of consumer preferences and a growing confidence in the economy in general. Since then, optimism has been spreading in Spain All Autonomous Communities recorded an increase in retail sales. The largest increases were registered in Madrid (12%), the Balearic Islands (10.2%) and the Valencian Community (8.9%). Conversely, the smallest increases were recorded in Extremadura (2.5%), Castile and León (2.8%), Navarre (3.5%) and the Basque Country (3.6%).
employment in retail
In terms of employment, retail occupancy increased by 1.9% in July compared to the same month in 2022. Although this rate is slightly lower than in June, employment growth remained steady across all distribution types.
Retail employment increased in 13 municipalities year-on-year, with Catalonia registering the largest increase (4.9%).