Spanish retail sales report rebound for February

Spain's retail sales rose for the first time in three months in February, driven by increased demand for household equipment, preliminary data from the statistical office INE showed Tuesday.

Retail sales rose a seasonally and calendar-adjusted 0.7% month-on-month in February, following a 0.3% fall in January. In December, sales slumped 5.7%.

Excluding service stations, the retail sales index rose 0.9% monthly in February. Sales of food decreased 0.1%, while those of non-food products increased 1.6%.

Within the latter group, sales of household equipment increased the most, up 6.1%. In February, the retail sales index rose 0.9% year-on-year following a 4.1% increase in February. Sales grew for a second straight month.

Without adjustments, retail sales grew 1.7%, after a 3.5% increase in the previous month.

Employment in the retail trade sector increased 2.6% year-on-year, which was slower than January's growth. Job creation in the service stations rose 3.2%.