The January inflation was 2.2%according to the measurement of National Institute of Statistics and Census (INDEC). After two years, The interannual variation returned to the two digits, when positioning at 84.5%. To the deceleration of the first month of the year, the casualties contributed to the fruit prices, for a seasonal factor, but there was also a phenomenon that has not been seen for six years: the category of clothing and shoes recorded a 0.7% drop.
The decrease in clothing prices has not happened since January 2019. As specialists commented, in this case the liquidation of clothing for seasonal change and the fall of consumption. Despite what is estimated, from the sector they rule out that it is due to the opening of imports.
Low in clothing prices: the reasons
The prices of the dress they went down as a result of the Summer season settlementsomething that since 2019 did not happen, as explained to Scope María Castiglioni, of C&T ASSOCIATES.
What was observed in recent years was a growth above the consumer price index (CPI), especially in 2022 when inflation was 94.8% interannual and the variation of the clothing was located in the 120.8%. In 2023, with the deepening of the recession and the balance was inverse: the average CPI was located in the 211.3% interannual, while clothing and shoes was below with the 169.4%.
In the category, The drop of 0.7% in January was explained by a greater price drop in clothing and a faint rise in footwear. While the INDEC It does not give the average, disaggregated by regions, it is observed that the only decrease was that of GBAwhere the category yielded 23% as a consequence of -3.2% in clothing and +0.5% in footwear.
The real fall of purchasing power in this regard played a key roleas explained by the sector and economists.
“The latest wage data showed real growth compared to those of November 23 for the registered private ones, the rest of the categories are still significantly affected, even more so if it is considered the fall in employment and change in relative prices, where The services gained ground on the goods and forced the income, “he explained Rocío Bisangeconomist of Ecogo.
From Pro weaving Foundation They emphasized that this drops in the price of clothing “is not explained by the opening of the economy since, on the contrary, imports of clothing fell”, but is because “there is no demand.”
“Neither national nor imported is sold and companies are working with even negative profitability, making a great effort to not lose market, cover at least part of the fixed costs and not fire people who had a hard time training”they warned.
In addition, they added that the dollar costs grew – like most of the prices of the economy – and this affects the “viability” of companies, in a context of importing imports and maintenance of the fall in consumption that suffocates to Companies.
Bisang linked the fall in prices to the measurement of INDEC that “gives a strong consumption weight in Shoppings, which probably has logics of pricing, flexibility and consumers other than other marketing channels, in a context where the exchange rate Promote trips and purchases abroad. “
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
