Mass consumption in Argentina has begun the year with a further decline, as reported by the private consultancy Scentia. In January, the consumption decreased by 1.1% compared to the same month last year, marking a significant drop particularly in supermarket sales and essential commodity categories. This downturn is indicative of a continuing trend where various commercial channels, including supermarkets, wholesalers, pharmacies, self-service stores, and online purchases, have all reported reduced sales.

This marks the third consecutive month of negative figures, with the last recorded annual increase in consumption occurring in October, when it rose by 2.3% compared to the same month in the previous year. Meanwhile, 2025 was characterized as a year of partial recovery for mass consumption, which failed to offset the dramatic declines seen in 2024. In overall figures, the growth for the last year was only 2%, which still fell short in making up for the substantial downfall experienced prior.

The implications of these figures suggest a continuing struggle for consumers in Argentina, as economic conditions seem to further affect spending habits. With ongoing reductions in consumption across various sectors, businesses may need to rethink their strategies in order to adapt to the current climate, and policymakers may face pressure to implement measures to foster economic recovery and stimulate consumer spending.