Since physical stores are closed across Brazil due to isolation measures to fight the spread of coronavirus, retail sales have dropped 24.7% from March to April 6, according to a survey carried out by the accreditor Cielo and obtained by Exame. The greatest impact was felt in the fourth week of March (-52.3%) and the first week of April (-43.9%).

However, the second week of this month shows a slight recovery, since the drop has cooled to 43.1%. The most impacted sector was services, with -50.8% in revenue. This segment includes tourism and transportation companies (-63.4%), bars and restaurants (-43.4%), automotive services and auto parts (-27%). In the case of durable goods – which include items such as clothing (-50.1%), construction materials (-19%) and furniture, appliances and department stores (-39.7%) – the decline was less pronounced, -39.9%.

On the other hand, pharmacies, supermarkets have seen their numbers rise 1.7%. Supermarkets had a growth 17.4% and pharmacies increased 4.4%. Gas stations decreased revenues by 24.1%.