Argentina SME retail sales fell 0.2% in August

Retail sales for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Argentina fell 0.2% year-on-year in August, according to data from the Confederación Argentina de la Mediana Empresa (CAME). The sector also saw a 2.7% decline compared to July, contributing to a cumulative drop of 2.4% for the first eight months of 2026.

CAME attributed the downturn to reduced purchasing power, rising utility tariffs, increased household debt, and a seasonal slowdown in spending following the vacation period. While 46.5% of surveyed merchants reported a worsening situation, 6.1% noted an improvement.

Sector performance was mixed. Perfumery led increases at 12.8%, followed by textiles and clothing at 6.4%. Conversely, the largest declines occurred in home decor and furniture, which fell 4.8%, as well as food and beverages, which dropped 2.5%.

In contrast to the general decline, online sales from businesses with physical locations grew by 17.6% year-on-year. Regarding future outlooks, 57.9% of respondents stated it is not a good time for investment.