According to Came, retail sales fell 4.2% in June

Retail sales of SMEs finished the month of June with a drop of 4.2% compared to the same month last year, measured at constant prices, and recorded an annual decline of 2, 8% in the first half.

Compared to May, they increased 15.7% (unadjusted) in the monthly comparison, and it is explained that Father's Day is in the sixth month of the year and the aguinaldo advances that have injected more cash into the market begin.

However, the volatility of the dollar and the worsening of the purchasing power of families have reduced spending decisions, especially for durable goods. Neither one nor the other has helped the general strike, the truckers and the national team (which has mobilized only certain items), which left the streets empty and reduces sales to SMEs

"We have to take into account that they have dropped by 1.4%, which reflects the difficult situation of the SME trade," said Came in a statement Press.

In June of this year, only 24.3% of the companies consulted experienced an annual increase in sales (25.8% and 32.8% in May). On the other hand, 64.9% had negative variations and 10.7% remained unchanged

In addition to weak sales, traders had to deal with the higher prices with which the goods arrived. Increases that, in part, have been absorbed by trade so as not to affect demand.

General Considerations

• Retail sales decreased 4.2% in June 2018 compared to the same date in 2017. Exchange rate uncertainty continued to affect consumption, but this month
• Companies in the border towns with Chile, Paraguay and Bolivia were favored by the rising dollar, because fewer people went through to buy these countries and instead replaced them through purchases in local businesses.
• The 19 articles studied fall into the annual comparison. The falls have reached 7% per annum in the case of the article " Marroquinería ", where it was sold for Father's Day and then sales fell. In some stores consulted, only one or two units per day were sold. In others, he saved the cold and that people bought less in malls and more in neighborhood stores, in the specific case of these products.
• In & # 39; Food and Beverages, sales at constant prices, they fell by 1.1% a year and accumulated a 1.2% drop in the first half. Families bought more from neighborhood stores to control their consumption and access cheaper brands. The match days of the national team, the demand has increased between 6% and 7% compared to a normal day. They did not help the price increases that took place in this sector, although the stores consulted pointed out that people got used to the new values ​​quickly. Only 30.8% of stores visited had interannual increases this month.
• In "19459005" Clothing sales were down 4.8% from the same month of last year and accumulated a 4% decline, 1% in the first half (always measured at constant prices). He helped Father's Day and the cold weather that led to the sale of seasonal clothing. 66.7% of stores in this category experienced annual losses (in May, 60% of stores ended lower). It should also be kept in mind that it compares to June 2017, when sales had already decreased by 1.8%.
• In & 1945 Electronics & Appliances constant price sales decreased 4.9% over the same month last year. So far this year, this article is accumulating a drop of 2.2% per year. What was sold the most during the month were World Cup TVs, cold storage heaters and cell phones for Father's Day. The rest moved mainly with low value products. Only 34.4% of stores reported annual increases in their sales
• In "19459005" Footwear sales at constant prices decreased by 4.7% and recorded a 3.7% drop in sales. until now this year. 79.4% of the stores declared weak in the annual comparison. It's sold well for Father's Day (but also less than last year) and products with discounts, especially those from previous seasons. Many companies have advanced regulations and made special promotions for cash purchases.