In January 2026, the municipality of Santos, located on the coast of São Paulo, experienced a notable increase in consumer delinquency rates, with a 0.59% rise reported by the National Confederation of Shopkeepers (CNDL) and the Credit Protection Service (SPC Brasil). This outcome reflects a continuing trend, marking the fourth consecutive month of rising delinquency, despite a smaller increase compared to the 1.02% rise in December. Local business leaders express concern over the implications of these ongoing trends as they affect consumer spending and the overall economic health of the region.

The annual comparison for January 2025 and January 2026 reveals a more alarming statistic, with delinquency in Santos rising by 10.10%. This is notably higher than the regional average of 8.89% across the Southeast and 9.39% for the entire country of Brazil. The data underscores a growing financial strain on consumers in Santos, highlighting potential challenges faced by local businesses, which may see a decrease in sales as financially distressed consumers cut back on spending.

Further insights from the research indicate that each delinquent consumer in Santos owes an average debt of R$ 6,286.82, which includes a compilation of all overdue debts. The demographic analysis shows that the most affected age group for delinquency is between 50 and 64 years, with a notable gender disparity—52.59% of those in debt are women, while 47.41% are men. This information prompts a need for targeted financial education and support programs to address the underlying issues contributing to consumer delinquency in this demographic, ultimately aiming to alleviate the economic pressures faced by residents of Santos.