The collapse in consumption continues in Italy. According to the latest Istat data, retail sales decreased by 3,1% year-on-year in November and by 0,4% compared to October. This is the fifth consecutive monthly decline. On average for the September-November period, the index fell by 1,3% compared to the previous quarter.
Istat also notes that, in comparison with October, sales increased by 0,1% for food products, while there was a -0,6% for non-food products. Compared to November 2011, the raw index showed a decrease of 2,0% for food products and 3,7% for non-food products.
Again in comparison on an annual basis, sales by distribution form reveal a decrease in November both for large-scale distribution (-2,1%) and for companies operating on small surfaces (-3,9%).
In comparison with the first eleven months of 2011, the raw index fell by 2,0%, as a result of a limited drop in sales of food products (-0,6%) and a more marked drop in those of non-food products food (-2,6%).
