SME retail sales by the Children’s Day fell 14.4% compared to the same date last year, measured at constant prices. It was a week in which families were looking for cheap or discounted products. There was a more cautious consumption than in the previous year, where priorities were oriented towards the essential and functional, according to the Argentine Confederation of Medium-sized Enterprises (CAME).
The strongest movement occurred on Saturday, a day when businesses made a difference, since for many the previous days had been similar to a normal day. In any case, For half of the traders surveyed, the meager results of the date did not surprise and it was within expectations, although another 25% said it was worse or much worse than expected and 26.9% thought it was better or much better.
The sales ticket averaged $31,987165% more than the last measurement, well below the annual inflation, reflecting how the adjustment in purchases was made more by value than by units acquired. This year, 60.4% of businesses carried out some kind of promotion10 points above last year, when only 50% had resorted to this resource that in Argentina becomes more abundant in times of low demand.
Sales drop due to Children’s Day: analysis by sector
All the sectors surveyed sold less than on Children’s Day last year. The most affected by the loss of consumption were “Audio, video, cell phone and accessories equipment”, with a year-on-year drop of 39.6%followed by “Footwear and leather goods” (-15.5%).
1. Footwear and leather goods
With an average ticket price of $38,636, sales fell 15.5% compared to Children’s Day 2023, measured at constant prices. Demand was mostly oriented towards sports shoes, partly as a result of the Copa América and the Olympic Games, which added a lot of interest in these products. Almost all the businesses surveyed agreed in describing this year’s activity as low.
2. Audio, video, cell phone and accessories equipment
Sales plummeted 39.6% compared to last year at constant prices andThe average ticket amounted to $39,126. In the electronics sector, demand focused mainly on smaller and less expensive products, reflecting a trend towards purchasing more affordable items. Sales of more expensive audio and video equipment were weak, contributing to the overall decline in the sector. As for cell phones, while these devices are traditionally popular at this time of year, this year sales were concentrated in accessories.
3. Clothing and accessories
Sales fell 12.5% compared to Children’s Day 2023, at constant prices, and the ticket averaged $27,213. The low temperatures of these days gave continuity to seasonal clothing, but at the same time, since they are more expensive products, people looked closely at prices to then direct their gift to items with more affordable prices. It was one of the sectors with the most discounts, with reductions of up to 50% and ample possibilities for payment in interest-free installments.
4. Toy stores
Sales fell 6.1% compared to last year and the average ticket price was $30,626. Sales were mainly active on Saturday afternoon, when there was a lot of traffic in the stores, although the age range for which toys are chosen continues to decrease every year. In the large consumer centers, an explosion of informal sales was observed.
5. Bookstores
Sales fell 1% compared to last year at constant prices and the average ticket price was around $21,777. It was the favorite item of the grandparents, especially when there was more than one gift to give, because good books could be bought for as little as $10,000. It should be noted in the comparison that last year was the sector with the poorest results for this date. Illustrated story books and educational collections sold well, which attract customers due to their content and durability.
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Source: Ambito
