According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, an index that tracks general retail sales in different payment methods, including cash and checks, e-commerce sales grew 75% in May in Brazil. The average growth of the last three months (March, April and May) was over 48%, above what was registered in the first quarter: 14%. Figures reflect year-on-year increases, highlighting the broader shift to digital.

“The growth of electronic commerce is closely linked to the new consumer behavior during the period of social isolation. Due to the pandemic, consumers are increasingly moving away from money and opting for digital, contactless payments, which has increased online sales. In addition, the distribution of emergency aid by the government also contributed to this result,” says Cesar Fukushima, Director of Advanced Analysis at Mastercard in Brazil.

Mastercard SpendingPulse recorded that the total volume of retail sales (excluding sales of cars, building materials, restaurants and bed, table and bath items) in Brazil decreased by 3% in relation to the previous year in May. The average of the last three months fell 10% in relation to the same period of 2019.

Two sectors had growth above the indicator of total sales: supermarkets (16%) and articles of personal and domestic use (5%). The sectors of clothing, furniture and appliances, fuels and pharmaceutical articles performed below average.