Cristiane Ribeiro
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Rio - Retail sales in Brazil were up 7.42% in April, compared with April, 2005. In relation to March, sales grew 1.52%, and store owners earned 1.43% more.

According to the Monthly Commercial Survey, released today (19) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the cumulative increase in retail sales in the first four months of this year amounted to 5.64%, outstripping last year's 4.84% increase during the same period.

Six of the eight sectors covered by the IBGE survey sold more in April than in March of this year. The standout performers were the hypermarket, supermarket, food, beverage, and tobacco sector and the office, information, and communications material and equipment sector. The fuel and lubricant sector was one of the few to exhibit a negative performance during the period.

In the assessment of IBGE economist, Reinaldo Silva Pereira, retail trade in Brazil has been benefitted by such factors as the improvement in workers' income and employment levels. The exchange rate has also contributed to the growth of sales, especially in information items.

Translation: David Silberstein