Retail sales increased by a working-day adjusted 5.5% year-on-year in March, after an 8.8% rise in February. The pace of growth has slowed since hitting a peak of 9.7% in January.

In March, sales of automotive fuels in specialized stores grew 3.1% yearly. Sales of non-food products increased 8.2% and those of food, beverages and tobacco gained 4.7%.

On a monthly basis, retail sales increased 0.4% in March, after a 0.6% rise in February.