Retail sales in Puerto Rico reached $4.41 billion in July 2026, a 1.1% increase over the same month the prior year, according to the Retail Sales Report from the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC). The report, prepared by the DDEC's Office of Strategy and Business Intelligence, also shows the sector had 133,100 salaried jobs in July, about 500 more than in July 2025.
Governor Jenniffer González Colón said the results show the importance of retail to the economy and that her administration will keep promoting conditions to support its growth and competitiveness. DDEC Secretary Carlos J. Ríos Pierluisi noted that retail accounts for nearly one in seven salaried jobs in Puerto Rico and said the DDEC will keep working to strengthen merchants and small and medium-sized businesses (PyMEs).
The largest year-over-year increases were in gas stations and convenience stores (14.1%), electronics stores (13.5%), hardware and home materials stores (8.5%), cosmetics, beauty products and perfume stores (8.1%), and fuel distributors (4.2%). PyME sales reached $1.97 billion in July, or 44.6% of all retail sales recorded that month. Within that segment, medium-sized businesses grew 6.0% year over year. Large non-chain businesses grew 11.8%, while large chains grew 1.3%.