Data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE) reveals that the Madrid region did not follow the growth trend of Spain as a whole, marking a slowdown compared to previous months.

In terms of employment, retail sector jobs in Madrid remained unchanged in April compared to the previous year, unlike the 0.9% increase nationwide. On a monthly basis, regional employment rose by 0.1%, below the national 0.4%.

Despite April's decline, cumulative sales in the Community of Madrid so far this year have grown by 2%, although this advance is five tenths lower than Spain's 2.5%. Employment in the Madrid sector also shows more moderate growth, with a 0.3% annual cumulative increase compared to 0.9% nationally.

Nationally, retail sales grew by 0.3% year-on-year in April, a rate 3.6 points lower than in March, marking 22 consecutive months of growth but with the most moderate increase in that period. Excluding seasonal effects, turnover increased by 0.8%, the lowest rate since November 2024.

In terms of national employment, job growth in the retail sector was 0.9% year-on-year in April, one tenth less than in March, accumulating 56 consecutive months of growth.