Retail sales down. This is certified by Istat, according to which, in the month of February, the seasonally adjusted sales index recorded a decrease of 0,2% compared to the previous month and of 1% on an annual basis. On average for the December-February 2014 quarter, the index recorded a decrease of 0,4% compared to the previous three months.
In the annual comparison, both the sales of food products (-1%) and those of non-food products (-1,2%) decreased. As regards the form of distribution, the heaviest decrease was that of companies operating on small surfaces, -1,6% against -0,5% for large-scale distribution.
Still according to Istat, in April the climate of confidence improved by main groupings of industries (Rpi): for consumer goods the index increased from 99,5 to 99,7, for intermediate goods from 100,4 to 101,1 and for capital goods from 98,4 to 99,9. The confidence climate index for construction companies fell to 74,8 from 75,6 in March.
As far as service companies are concerned, the index shows a decrease from 92,3 in March to 91,4: judgments and expectations on order books are also decreasing. In the retail trade, despite the drop in sales, the confidence climate index rose, going from 98,0 in March to 94,5. The index increased both in large-scale distribution (from 92,1 to 92,4) and in traditional distribution (from 97,0 to 102,7).
