Retail sales in Spain fell by 0.4% year-on-year in August 2026, matching the decline recorded in July and marking the second consecutive annual contraction. Automotive fuel sales dropped 7.1%, while food, beverages and tobacco sales in specialised stores declined 4.4%. Sales of information and communication equipment also fell 1.7%, while household equipment decreased 0.2%. In contrast, cultural and recreation goods recorded strong growth of 11%, followed by retail trade outside traditional stores, stalls and markets, which increased 9.7%. Internet and mail-order sales rose 8.7%, while sales through stalls and markets increased 3.4%. Retail trade excluding service stations grew 0.3%, indicating some resilience outside fuel sales. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, however, retail trade increased 0.3% in August, reversing July’s 1% decline.