In 2012, core and broad retail sales grew 8.4% and 8.0%, respectively, from 6.7% and 6.6% in 2011, but the relevant piece of information is that on a quarterly basis, retail sales lost steam across all groups, with the core index moving down to 0.9% in the three month period, from 2.2% in the third quarter of 2012.
FORBES: Brazil Retail Sales Hit A Snag