Supermarkets excited to review this years growth upwards
DCI
After accumulating growth of 5.36% in the last five months of this year, the supermarket sector should review its growth goal for 2009, previously set at 2.5%. According to the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (Abras), it is very likely that the real growth of the sector achieves 5%, an index already deflated by the Extended Consumer Price Index (IPCA), measured by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). In view of this situation, so far the regions of the Greater Rio de Janeiro, Greater São Paulo and the Northeast stand out with a faster growth in sales.
According to Sussumu Honda, president of the Abras, factors like the positive signs of the macroeconomy and the maintenance of the jobs and income collaborate for the supermarkets to have more vigor. "The second half is traditionally better for the retail, and should react in a more consistent way due to the maintenance of the reduction in the IPI (Excise Tax)", he emphasized. The maintenance of the jobs both in the industry and in the commerce will support the sales in the sector.
The official position with regard to the review of growth may be released at the end of this month, when the results from June will be accounted for. The entity announced, yesterday, that the sales in the supermarkets increased 4.01% in May, compared to the same month in 2008. In relation to April, there was 4.12% fall, attributed to the calendar effect, due to Easter, the second best [date] for the sector, which was celebrated in that month.