Many businesses pointed out February as a month to forget, with consecutive days where no sales were recorded. The families made visible all their economic problems and in homes there was dissaving (expenses were greater than income) to make ends meet. Likewise, vacations took away excess money.
Meanwhile, some problems getting merchandise by delays in deliveries. Due to lack of liquidity, businesses placed more orders than usual to their suppliers, but for low amounts. The suppliers consulted stated that the difficulties in supplies came for this reason and not due to speculation, since in terms of prices, February had less uncertainty than November, December and January.
SME sales: the item-by-item analysis
In the analysis by category, six of the seven sectors evaluated had decreases, compared to the same period of the previous year. The largest annual decline was detected in Perfumeries (-40.9%) and the only increase was in Textiles and clothing (+3.5%).
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Food and drinks
The Sales fell 33.3% annually in February, at constant prices and accumulate a drop of 35.2% in the first two months of the year compared to the same period in 2023. In the month-on-month comparison, they fell 7.6%. The consumers They looked for offers and products from second and third brands to make the cart cheaper. In the businesses consulted they expressed that, as a strategy to control expenses, purchases were noted more frequently, but in smaller quantities. The most affected branch was beverages, with strong price increases in recent months, where the consumer especially deprived himself of soft drinks, juices and waters, especially top brands. Another food that had more substitution than usual was meatalthough when offers appeared they were sold out.
Bazaar, decoration, home textiles and furniture
There was 22.7% annual decrease in Februaryalways at constant prices, and adds up to a decrease of 21.6% in the first two months of the year compared to the same period in 2023. However, in the month-on-month comparison they rose 8.2%. Few bazaar items and furniture were sold, but the sale was reinforced by a demand, which was still very active, in home textiles. Businesses that provide furniture repair services, above all, noticed an uptick in orders. The people who searched any renovation or change in your home He chose to purchase linen, where affordable prices could be found, in relation to other products.
Footwear and leather goods
The Sales decreased by 21.4% annually and accumulate a decline of 21.1% in the first two months of the year compared to the same period in 2023. In the contrast against January, they fell 7.8%. Lightweight, low-priced footwear was sold, and for the rest of the options, people stretched the models of previous seasons, because even in units, the sale was very low. Around the second fortnight of the month, school footwear began to move, but little. In the stores surveyed they expect that in the coming months sales linked to the school year that were postponed will be completed.
Pharmacy
The Sales plummeted 39% annually, at constant prices, and they are down 42.4% in the first two months of the year, compared to the same period in 2023. In the month-on-month contrast, they fell 8.8%. For some businessmen consulted, the The fall was unprecedented because it had not occurred in those dimensions for a long time. There were no shortages of products, but the stores replaced what was necessary and that also limited the stock.
Perfumery
The sales sank 40.9% annually in February, and they accumulate a drop of 36.7% in the first two months of 2024 compared to the same two months of last year. In the inter-monthly balance, the decrease was 11.4%. In the stores measured, they stated that most of the sales were concentrated in economical products, but that at the end of the month the sale was at a standstill. There were more card declines than usual due to lack of funds, causing purchases to be cancelled.
Hardware, electrical materials and construction materials
The RThe increase was 28.2% annually at constant prices and they accumulate a decrease of 29.8% in the first two months compared to the same two months of 2023. In the inter-monthly comparison, they declined 9.4%. Due to the lack of sales, there were businesses that gave their staff vacations and closed for two weeks, especially in “Construction Materials” which was where sales suffered the most. In “Hardware stores and electrical materials” there was a lot of disparity between businesses, those that were able to maintain low prices sold more than the rest. Still, only a few rated the month as good.
Textile and clothing
The Sales rose 3.5% annually in February, at constant prices and accumulate an increase of 2.2% in the first two months of the year, against the same two months of 2023. But in the inter-monthly comparison they fell 3.2%. In clothing, stores maintained the amounts from December and January, to get rid of summer clothes and gain liquidity. In addition, there were businesses where the international tourist was the great savior, taking several items of clothing in a single purchase. Those who sell school clothes also made some difference compared to the rest.
Source: Ambito
