According to the report from Istat, in January 2020, retail sales are estimated to have a zero cyclical change in value and a slight increase in volume (+0.1%). Sales of food goods are increasing both in value and in volume (+0.8%) while those of non-food goods fall by 0.4% in value and 0.3% in volume.

In the November 2019-January 2020 quarter, retail sales rose 0.1% in value and 0.3% in volume compared to the previous quarter. Both sales of food (+0.4% in value and +0.2% in volume) and sales of non-food (+0.1% in value and +0.2% in volume) are increasing.

On a trend basis, in January, there was growth of 1.4% in value and 1.3% in volume. Both sales of food (+1.9% in value and +1.1% in volume) and sales of non-food (+1.0% in value and +1.6% in volume) increased.

As far as non-food goods are concerned, there are positive trends for almost all product groups, with the exception of pharmaceuticals (-1.8%) and stationery, books, newspapers and magazines (-0.4%). The largest increases concern perfumery products, personal care (+3.3%) and equipment for information technology, telecommunications, telephony (+2.1%).