Commerce: Istat, retail sales -0.4% in July, +0.8% year-on-year

In July, in the midst of the summer sales, the trend in retail sales shows a weak consumption trend, in a context characterized by persistent elements of uncertainty triggered by geopolitical crises in the Middle East that increase energy prices. Thus, retail sales, according to Istat surveys, show a year-on-year value growth of +0.8% accompanied by a volume decline of -0.6%. “July 2026 marks the second consecutive monthly decline in retail sales, both in value and volume,” emphasizes the Statistical Institute commenting on the sales data. “On a year-on-year basis, there is a slowdown in value growth for both the food and non-food sectors, while volumes are decreasing. Still on a year-on-year basis, in July retail sales increase, both in value and volume, exclusively for large-scale distribution and e-commerce.” In particular, in July, compared to the previous month, retail sales decline both in value (-0.4%) and volume (-0.5%). Sales of food products decrease (-0.4% in value and -0.5% in volume) as do those of non-food products (respectively -0.4% and -0.7%). However, in the May-July 2026 quarter, on a quarterly basis, retail sales see an increase in value (+0.2%) and a decrease in volume (-0.1%). Sales of food products decrease in value (-0.1%) and volume (-0.3%), while those of non-food products increase (+0.4% in value and +0.1% in volume). On a year-on-year basis, in July 2026, food products increase in value (+0.3%) and decrease in volume (-1.0%) as do non-food products (respectively +1.1% and -0.2%). Regarding non-food products, heterogeneous year-on-year variations are recorded among product groups. The largest increase concerns household appliances, radios, TVs, and recorders (+6.1%) and other products (+5.0%), while footwear, leather goods, and travel items register the most significant decline (-2.8%). Compared to July 2025, retail sales increase for large-scale distribution (+1.6% in value and +0.6% in volume) and online commerce (respectively +2.4% and +1.6%).

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