The Argentine Confederation of Medium Enterprises (CAME) revealed that SME retail sales fell 0.9% in February compared to the same month last year, measured at constant prices, and accumulate a decrease of 0.6% in the first two months of the year.

The SME Retail Sales Index corresponding to the second month of the year, showed that in the monthly comparison, businesses sold 0.6% less in February than in January.

The CAME indicator reported that in the annual comparison, of the seven items surveyed in February, Pharmacy (+7.9%), Food and Beverages (+2.6%) and Perfume (+1.7%) grew.

On the other hand, Textiles and Clothing (-11%), Bazaar, decoration, home textiles and furniture (-3.4%), Hardware, electrical materials and construction materials (-1.1%) and footwear and leather goods (-0.8%).

The detail by category

Food and drinks: sales in February grew 2.6% annually, but declined 1% monthly, at real prices. In the first two months of the year they accumulate an increase of 3.1%.
Bazaar, decoration, home textiles and furniture: lSales fell 3.4% annually and 3.1% monthly, at constant prices. In the first two months of the year they added a retraction of 1.9%.
Footwear and leather goods: sales for the month decreased 0.8% annually but increased 1.8% monthly, at real prices. In the first two months of 2023 they accumulate a fall of 1.6%.
-Pharmacy: sales in February increased 7.9% annually, but fell 2.5% monthly, at constant prices. In the first two months of the year they have risen 9.3%.
-Hardware, electrical materials and construction materials: sales decreased 1.1% annually (at constant prices) and 1.5% in the monthly comparison. Between January and February they accumulate a decline of 0.3%.

Source: NA, Came