Brazil's retail sales increase 0.6% in July

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Retail sales in Brazil increased 0.6% in July, compared to the previous month, according to data released Thursday.

The figure managed to come in slightly higher than market expectations of a 0.5% gain.

The monthly figure for June, meanwhile, was revised to a decline of 0.9%, from a decrease of 1%.

Five of the eight activity groups showed an increase during the month of July, said the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

Computer and communication office equipment rose 2.2%, it said in a statement.

This was followed by fabrics, clothing and footwear, which rose 1.8%, and supermarket, food product prices, beverages and tobacco with a gain of 1.7%.

Furniture and household appliances increased 1.4%, according to the IBGE.