In August 2022, internal trade sector sales increased slightly by 1.0% compared to the same period the previous year. This result was mainly driven by the significant positive performance of sales in pharmacies and drugstores (+23.4%), as well as books, newspapers, and stationery items (+37.9%). In contrast, this growth was partially offset by a decrease in sales in supermarkets and hypermarkets (-0.2%), department stores (-7.3%), hardware and home improvement stores (-4.5%), and home equipment products (-11.3%).