Rio - Retail sales have risen steadily during all of the first half of this year. In June they were up 12.80%; in the first quarter, up 11.24%; and for the first half, up 9.33%. The increases are the biggest since 2001, reports the government statistical bureau (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística) (IBGE).

The IBGE monthly survey found that sales were up over 30% in furniture and home appliances for the fourth consecutive month. Retail sales rose in 26 out of the 27 states in Brazil. The biggest increase was in Acre, up 32.82%.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Cristiane Ribeiro
Translator: Allen Bennett
08/19/2004