Argentina supermarket sales fall below historical averages

Argentine supermarket sales in the first half of 2026 were 9.2% below the historical average for the 2017-2025 period, according to a report by Politikon Chaco based on INDEC data. This contraction affected 22 of the 24 subnational jurisdictions. The most significant declines were recorded in Formosa (-35.9%), Tucumán (-33%), and Corrientes (-32.8%). Other provinces with drops exceeding 20% include Misiones, Santiago del Estero, La Rioja, San Juan, Jujuy, and Chaco.

In contrast, Neuquén and Río Negro were the only jurisdictions to show positive growth, driven by the oil and mining sectors. In June, national supermarket billing saw a 3.1% year-on-year real decrease, marking the sixth consecutive month of decline.

While traditional retail faces challenges, e-commerce showed resilience, with a 28% increase in billing during the first half of the year. The Chamber of Argentine E-commerce (CACE) reported that food, beverages, and household goods were leading categories, with consumers increasingly utilizing installment payment plans to manage purchasing power.