Spanish retail sales maintained a steady pace in March 2025, with the General Retail Trade Index (RTI) at constant prices showing a 3.6 per cent year-on-year increase, matching the growth rate observed in February, according to official data released by the National Statistics Institute (INE) on Monday. However, the monthly trend indicated a slight dip, as retail sales decreased by 0.2 per cent compared to February. E-commerce continued its upward trajectory, expanding by 2.2 per cent month-on-month, while food sales grew by 0.5 per cent. Conversely, non-food product sales experienced a 0.7 per cent decline . Employment in the retail sector also showed positive signs, with an annual increase of 1.0 per cent in March, although this was a slight slowdown from the 1.3 per cent growth recorded in February. Overall, while Spanish retail sales demonstrated resilience with consistent year-on-year growth, the monthly figures suggest a need for cautious optimism as the sector navigates the challenges of inflation and shifting consumer spending patterns. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
