Actual sales of supermarkets in Brazil in February rise 0.22 percent year on year, says Open

SAO PAULO (Reuters)-sales of supermarkets of Brazil in February went up 0,22% in real terms compared with same month of 2017, said on Monday the association representing the industry, Open. Compared to January, however, there was a fall of 4,28%, showed the survey. Date of 2018, sales went up 1,57% before the first quarter of 2017. To the President of the entity, João Sanzovo Neto, the growth was a little underwhelming and reflected the deflation of 0,33% food prices in February, in addition to the calendar effect. "We continue with the prospect of a resumption in the prices of some foods gradually during 2018, above the IPCA", said the Executive in a statement. In February, the Abrasmercado products basket had 1,82% drop before January and 6,27% against a year earlier, to actual 442.88. One of the biggest high in price month were products such as onions, egg, long life milk and toilet paper, while items such as potatoes, frozen chicken led the casualties.