Italian retail sales in September were up by 0.9% on the previous month, with both non-food and food retailers experiencing growth, according to data from Italy's national statistics agency, Istat.
The association said that sales increased by 3.4% in value terms and 2.7% in volume compared to September 2016, representing the biggest rise since March 2010.
Food sales were up by 4.4% in value terms, while the non-food segment grew by 2.8%, driven by sales at major retailers (+5.6%).
FMCG Growth
Meanwhile, consumer research organisation IRI is forecasting a 1.6% growth in volume and 2% in value of packaged fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) during 2017.
The figures include sales in all channels, such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, independent small retailers, drugstores and discount stores.
According to the company, climate factors, such as the intense cold of last winter and the very hot summer, stimulated a significant increase in sales volumes of food and beverages.
Looking ahead to 2018, it is anticipated that sales of packaged FMCG should rise by 0.7% in volume and by 1.1% in value.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
