Italian Retail Sales Experience a Slight Decline

According to the latest report released by Istat on Wednesday, Italian retail sales saw a 0.4% decrease in January compared to the previous month, December. This figure came as a surprise to many, falling short of analysts' expectations. The report highlighted a 0.3% drop in food product sales and a more significant 0.5% decrease in non-food product sales.

Year-over-Year Growth Despite Monthly Decline

Despite the monthly downturn, the broader picture shows a 0.9% increase in retail trade compared to the same period last year. Notably, food sales have risen by 2.1% since January 2024, whereas non-food sales have remained stable, showing no change from the previous year.