Overview
- In constant prices, small retailers sold 0.5% more items than in 2025, but the average ticket fell to ARS 36,656 from ARS 48,081, a 41.9% real drop.
- Retailers reported weaker activity than at Christmas, with shoppers opting for lower-priced gifts and fewer higher-value purchases.
- Credit cards dominated payments as cash use was nearly nil and debit declined, signaling tight liquidity among consumers.
- Sector results were mixed: bookstores +5%, audio/video, cellphones and accessories +1.1%, toys +0.9%, while apparel -2.5% and footwear and leather goods -1.1%.
- The findings come from a CAME survey of 209 stores across 30 cities conducted January 4–5, with 82.2% saying results met or fell short of expectations and 17.8% reporting better-than-expected sales.