Commercial activity grew 6.91% in May of 2026 driven by the dynamism of its three components

During May 2026, the Commerce sector registered a positive variation of 6.91%, compared to the same month of the last year, due to the dynamism of the wholesale, retail commerce and automotive commerce.

This was informed by the chief of the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), Dr. Gaspar Morán Flores, who informed that this economic activity accumulated a positive variation of 5.81%, during the period January-May of 2026.

During the fifth month of 2026, the wholesale commerce registered an increase of 4.65%, compared to the same month of 2025, determined by the sale of metals and metal ores, in response to the demand of copper and silver, as well as the consolidation of gold as value safeguard.

In addition, the sale of household goods increased, due to the demand of brown line, white line and kitchen appliance, cleaning products of household, pharmaceutical and medicinal products, cosmetics, personal care articles, perfumery, office supplies, favoured by the launching of new sales points and promotional strategies.

The sale of construction materials and hardware retails increased in response to property projects and self-construction. The sale of liquid, gas fuels and allied products reached a solid performance, explained by the greater vehicular circulation within a positive environment of economic activities.

The sale of machinery and equipment influenced the acquisition of tractors, retro-excavators and load trucks, fortification equipment and underground stabilization, electric tools, equipment of industrial security and medical equipment of high technology. The sale of computers, peripheral equipment and informatic programs increased in response to commercial campaigns and renovation of corporations.

At the same time, the sale of foods and beverages registered an increasing behavior, due to the high rotation of food products targeted to supply markets and main retail stores. On the other hand, the sale of agricultural raw materials and live animals were affected.

During the month of May of 2026, the retail commerce grew by 6.36%, compared to the same month of the year 2025, due to the increasing sale in supermarkets, minimarkets and convenience stores, due to rotation of inventories mainly in the food and beverage division and the extension of sale facilities. Likewise, the sale of pharmaceutical and medicinal products, cosmetics and personal care articles showed a positive performance, due to discounts in shelves.

At the same time the sale of fuels increased at the same time with the greater flow of particular vehicles, inter-province transportation, heavy-duty load of particular vehicles, inter-province transportation, heavy-duty load and machinery. Likewise, the sale in stores by department increased before the great number of campaigns and the inauguration of new sales points. In the same sense, the sale of computers, peripheral units and computer programs increased before the renovation of laptops and equipment of last generation.

Likewise, the sale of hardware retail positively evolved explained by the greater acquisition of cement, tools, bricks, paints, pipes and plastic connections, according to the progressive improvement of houses. The sale of clothing items, footwear and leather articles showed a positive performance, based in campaigns and offers. In addition, it was observed a positive impact in the e-mail sale and by Internet before the renovation of catalogs, marketing strategies and the implementation of digital wallets.

The positive behavior in the sale of electric devices of domestic use, furniture, decoration articles and illumination equipment based in promotional campaigns and expansion of sale channels. Nevertheless, the sale of tapestry, carpets, and floor and wall coverings and floor in specialized warehouses.

During May of 2026, the automotive commerce presented an increase of 28.46%, compared to the same month of 2025, mainly due to the sale of light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, together to advertising campaigns, facilities of financing, new facilities and stock availability.

In addition, it was observed a greater sale, maintenance and repair of motorcycles and its parts, pieces and accessories, driven by commercial strategies. The same trend was observed in the maintenance and repair of automotive vehicles, favoured by specialized fairs such as the “Expomecánica Perú 2026” and due to new contracts in the mining sector. Meanwhile, the sale of parts, pieces and accessories of automotive vehicles decreased.