Boost for economy as Italians hit the shops
AFP - [email protected] •
25 Oct, 2013
Updated Fri 25 Oct 2013 13:18 CEST
Retail sales in Italy were stable in August compared to the July level and rose 0.2 percent on a 12-month comparison, an index by the official Istat agency showed on Friday.
Istat's retail index was unchanged from July for food goods and dipped 0.1 percent for non-food goods. Major outlets saw sales increase by 1.7 percent while for small ones they fell 1.1 percent.
Italy is hoping to shake off its longest recession since World War II later this year but the government forecasts growth, if it comes, will only be very gradual into next year.
Recent indicators have offered a mixed picture on and several experts are now predicting it is unlikely the economy started growing again in the third quarter after two years of recession.
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Istat's retail index was unchanged from July for food goods and dipped 0.1 percent for non-food goods. Major outlets saw sales increase by 1.7 percent while for small ones they fell 1.1 percent.
Italy is hoping to shake off its longest recession since World War II later this year but the government forecasts growth, if it comes, will only be very gradual into next year.
Recent indicators have offered a mixed picture on and several experts are now predicting it is unlikely the economy started growing again in the third quarter after two years of recession.
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