Sales for Mother’s Day in SME retail stores fell 4.7 percent compared to the same date last year, at constant prices, the Argentine Confederation of Medium-sized Enterprises (CAME) reported on Sunday.
The entity stated that “SMEs felt the loss of purchasing power of families, and also the selection of consumption towards cheaper products”. Likewise, it was indicated that “53 percent of the businesses launched some type of promotion to boost sales.”
In addition, 36 percent of stores sold as expected, 30 percent worse, 21 percent better, 8 percent much worse, and 5 percent much better. The average sales ticket was 8,784 pesos, registering a fall of 8.27 percent at constant values.
Analysis by category
Of the six items surveyed, two rose in the annual comparison and four fell. Those that grew were Cell phones, peripheral equipment and accessories, with an annual increase of 6.9%, and Cosmetics and Perfumery (+3.1%). The rest went down.
In the Footwear category, sales fell 6.4% compared to Mother’s Day 2021, measured at constant prices. Only for 30% of the businesses measured, the activity was better than last year, for 40%, on the other hand, it was worse and another 30% considered that it remained at the same levels.
In general, businessmen considered that Father’s Day was better than Mother’s Day, when it is usually the other way around, and it is explained by prices and lack of purchasing power. The average ticket per purchase in this branch was $8,576.
Regarding Cosmetics and perfumery, the sector had an improvement of 3.1% compared to last season. 60% of the stores made some promotion, highlighting cash discounts, network raffles, two for one in offline products, or special combos. The average ticket per purchase was $5,122.
In the category of household appliances, household appliances and audio and video equipment, sales fell by 2.7% compared to last year. The average ticket per transaction was $17,433 and was the highest in the sample.
As for Peripheral equipment, accessories and cell phones, with an average ticket of $9,522, sales rose 6.9% compared to the same celebration in 2021, at constant prices. There was little output of devices, and in most cases with promotions or fees. Instead, items like earphones and cases sold very well.
In Clothing and accessories, the sector registered a year-on-year drop of 14.9%, always at constant prices, and the ticket averaged $6,762. The stores surveyed attribute the low levels of activity to clothing prices, which have risen a lot in recent months. The same thing happened in lingerie. On the other hand, accessories, such as belts, hats, scarves, sold well.
In the Bookstores category, sales decreased by 5.8% compared to the previous Mother’s Day and the average ticket per sale was $4,515. For 22.4% of the businesses surveyed, the date was better than expected, another 54% defined it as the same and 24% worse.
Source: Argentine Confederation of Medium Enterprises (CAME)