São Paulo, 1/29/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Retail sales in the metropolitan region of São Paulo rose a sharp 30.75% in December, compared to November, but even so sales in December 2003 were down 3.64%, compared to December 2002, reports the state commercial federation (Fecomercio-SP). As for the year, 2003 sales were 3.86% less than 2002. The only bright spot was in automobile sales, which rose 6.01%. (AB)