Peru: Retail sales up 9.7% in May 2018

Peru’s retail sector sales grew 9.7% to over S/3.2 billion (around US$978.5 million) in May 2018 compared to the same month a year earlier, Production Minister Raul Perez-Reyes said on Tuesday.

“Retail sales increased due to the good performance of all sectors’ activities, mainly those of books, newspapers, and stationery items, as well as department stores and supermarkets,” he expressed.

“The major impetus came as the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia edged closer,” the official added.

According to Perez-Reyes, May figures were also underpinned by a massive opening of establishments, which saw a 27.6% increase from 3,547 to 4,525 stores in a year.

It must be noted the retail sector generates more than 108,000 jobs, with women accounting for 51.8% of the workforce.

Steady growth

The department store and supermarket sub-sector managed to advance 14.1% in May, driven by higher sales of beverages and tobacco (14.6%), pharmaceutical products and cosmetics (13.2%), clothing and footwear (12.3%), household goods (10.6%), plus food (7%).

The book and stationery activity ended the month with a 33.8% gain, as a result of greater sales of World Cup albums and stickers, as well as computer products.

On the other hand, the hardware and electrical appliance activity grew 3.3% due to an increase in sales of household articles (19.7%), furniture (11.4%), as well as hardware and paints (7.3%).

Finally, the drugstore activity increased 3.4%, fueled by higher sales of medicinal and botanical products (5.1%).

(END) CNA/RMB/MVB

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