In October 2023, sales in the internal trade sector recorded a 4.9% decrease compared to the same month the previous year, due to lower revenue in department stores (-12.8%), hardware stores and home finishing products (-16.3%), home equipment products (-7.7%), and pharmacies and drugstores (-6.4%). However, this decline was moderated by positive performance in sales of supermarkets and hypermarkets (+2.3%) and books, newspapers, and stationery items (+9.7%).