La Plata leads Buenos Aires province in business closures

La Plata has emerged as the leading city in the Buenos Aires province for business closures over the last three years. According to data from the Observatorio de Datos Estratégicos, at least 1,000 commercial establishments have ceased operations or reported their deregistration to the municipality since 2023.

This trend is driven by a significant decline in sales. The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of La Plata reported that retail sales fell 14.7% year-on-year, marking 14 consecutive quarters of decline. Additionally, a survey by FundPlata found that approximately 9.5% of 4,739 surveyed establishments were either permanently closed or for rent.

The crisis extends beyond retail to the gastronomic and industrial sectors. The well-known restaurant Beguiontó Bistró recently announced its permanent closure due to the economic climate. Furthermore, the Unión Industrial de la Provincia de Buenos Aires recorded 1,306 industrial closures between 2023 and May 2026. Local merchants cite falling consumption and rising rents as the primary causes for the widespread instability.