Retail sales in Paraíba grow 11.4% in 2024 and register the 2nd highest increase in the country

The volume of retail sales in Paraíba registered the second highest growth rate in the country in 2024 among the 26 states and the Federal District, according to the Monthly Trade Survey, released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), this Thursday (13). Last year, sales of the indicator in Paraíba expanded 11.4%, while the average rate in the country was 4.7%. The state of Amapá led with 15.5%.

In the 12-month retail performance in 2024, Paraíba achieved relevant positions throughout last year: in three months, it reached the highest rates in the country (February, June and October) and in another four months the second highest rate (May, July, August and September). Growth rates were also significant. Of the 12 months, eight had growth above double digits (February, April, May, June, July, August, September and October), reaching the highest rates in August (19.9%); October (19.1%) and July (18%).

EXPANDED TRADE – In the expanded retail trade indicator – which includes activities involving vehicles, motorcycles, parts and pieces, construction materials and wholesale specialized in food products, beverages and tobacco –, Paraíba also presented the 2nd highest growth rate in the country (11%) in 2024, while the national average was 4.1%.

Eight of the eleven activities surveyed, within the scope of expanded retail, closed the year in the positive field: Pharmaceutical, medical, orthopedic and perfumery articles; Vehicles and motorcycles, parts and pieces, Other articles for personal and domestic use; Construction material; Hypermarkets, supermarkets, food products, beverages and tobacco; Furniture and household appliances; Fabrics, clothing and footwear; and Equipment and material for office, IT and communication.

SUCCESSIVE RECORDS – The manager of the IBGE's Monthly Trade Survey (PMC), Cristiano Santos, stated that “the expansion recorded last year took the index series to new successive record levels, which had not happened since 2020, reaching its maximum level in October. An important aspect about restricted retail in the annual perspective is that, on the margin, we have come from two months of stability (November and December). However, it is worth remembering that this stability sustains a record level that was reached in October 2024, that is, it is a stability on the rise”, assesses the survey manager.

and added: “In terms of sectors, the big highlight was the pharmaceutical sector, which is the only activity to also sustain eight years of continuous growth. In this case, both subsectors grew throughout 2024: both the pharmaceutical products sector itself and the perfumery and cosmetics sector. The other personal and household goods sector, which includes department stores, sports equipment, among others, also had a very positive balance.”

CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR – The Secretary of State for Finance (Sefaz-PB), Marialvo Laureano, highlighted the consistent performance of the retail indicator in Paraíba throughout 2024, showing the strength of the sector in the state. “Retail is one of the thermometers of the economy and, in this aspect, the sector in Paraíba showed enviable rates throughout practically the entire year. To give you an idea, of the twelve months of this year, Paraíba was in first place for three months and in second place for four months, always achieving expressive rates”, he reiterated.

According to Marialvo, the 2024 retail result shows the success of the State's public management with the policy of strengthening and partnership with the private sector, with Governor João Azevêdo as the main driver, who adopted a balanced fiscal policy that went hand in hand with the regional development policy planned for the State.

“The investments made by the public sector in partnership with the private sector have been fundamental to the growth of various sectors of the economy, including retail. To give you an idea of ​​this scale, in 2024, there were more than R$5.4 billion in public investments in the state, of which R$4.7 billion came from the state treasury’s own resources. All of this makes Paraíba’s economy stand out from other states, resulting in the creation of more jobs and more consumption, which directly benefits retail. Last year, for example, we generated more than 27,000 formal jobs in Paraíba alone, the 2nd highest balance in the last twelve years of Caged in the state. In addition, the consumption potential of families in Paraíba exceeded R$102 billion (4th highest growth rate in the country),” he highlighted.

MORE ABOUT THE SURVEY – The Monthly Retail Survey (PMC) produces indicators that allow monitoring the current behavior of retail trade in the country, investigating gross resale revenue in formally constituted companies, with 20 or more employees, and whose main activity is retail trade. Launched in 1995, the PMC provides monthly results on the variation in volume and nominal sales revenue for retail trade and expanded retail trade (automobiles and construction materials) for Brazil and the Federative Units. The results can be consulted at Sidra.