In February 2023, domestic trade sales recorded moderate growth of 5.2% compared to February 2022. This result was mainly driven by higher sales in supermarkets and convenience stores (+7.7%), department stores (+16.6%), book and newspaper retailers and stationery shops (+64.6%), and pharmacies and drugstores (+2.8%). In contrast, this performance was partially offset by lower sales in hardware and home improvement stores (-13.0%), as well as home equipment products (-2.4%).
