Christmas sales in SME retailers fell 1.8% compared to last year, at constant prices, according to the Argentine Confederation of Medium Enterprises (CAME).

The average ticket was located at $9,410 with the highest amount in Audio, video, cell phones and accessories ($10,985) and the lowest in Bookstores ($5,222), the entity specified.

“This Christmas had fewer business days to make purchases compared to last year, a situation that partly explains this result,” the CAME considered.

Of the six major items surveyed, Cosmetics and Perfumery (+2.1%), Audio, video, cell phone equipment and accessories (+4.2%) and Toy stores (+3.4%) grew and Footwear fell (-5 .1%), clothing (-14.4%) and bookstores (-7.5%).

This Christmas, 76.8% of the businesses measured did the same or better than expected, 3.6 percentage points above last year (73.2%), although it did indicate that expectations for these holidays were moderate.