Italy's retail sales increased unexpectedly in December after falling in the previous months, data released by statistical office Istat showed Friday.
Retail sales increased a seasonally adjusted 0.2 percent month-on-month in December, recovering from the declines of 0.6 percent and 1.4 percent recorded in November and October. Economists had forecast sales to fall further by 0.6 percent.
Sales of both food products and non-food products increased 0.2 percent each compared to November, data showed.
Year-on-year, trade in the retail sector fell 3.8 percent in December, faster than the 3.1 percent decline seen in November. Economists were looking for a 3.2 percent decrease.
In the whole of 2012, retail sales decreased 2.2 percent from the previous year, the agency said.
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