* Brazil’s national statistics institute (Ibge) has released the latest figures on the retail sector, according to which sales dipped 0.6% in March compared with February. This follows a positive variation between January and February and is the third negative result in four months. In year-on-year terms, retail sales grew 2.4%, and have accumulated a 0.7% variation in the 12 months to March. The Ibge notes that the retail trade sector now finds itself 0.3% below the pre-coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic levels. Seven of the eight categories surveyed saw a negative variation in March sales, with the biggest drops in clothing & fabrics (-41.5%) and furniture & household appliances (-22%). Only the supermarkets, food & drinks category saw its sales grow in March, by 3.3%.