The use of credit cards is the main means of payment and has experienced a significant increase in one year. In this sense, from the supermarket sector they assured that their use doubled in that period, because people cannot make ends meet with their income. Also, it is used as a strategy to avoid inflation by deferring payments for a month. The outlook for the sector is still not encouraging, since sales are falling.
Franco Pelletier, leader and owner of Cabral Mayorista, stated that currently the use of credit cards reaches 40% of clients, when a year ago only between 15 and 20% used this means of payment. “Most people take the merchandise in one payment,” the businessman told 0264 News.
“Between 85 and 90% buy with debit, credit and Mercado Pago cards. “Everything is virtual,” he continued.
Meanwhile, the president of the San Juan Chamber of Supermarkets and Self-Services, Andrea López, agreed with Pelletier and pointed out that payment by credit cards increased compared to 2023. “In most supermarkets when it is direct consumption we do not have quotas without interest. So the sector is different from others,” commented the leader and added that many people have difficulties making ends meet and so they turn to credit to finance themselves. He indicated that his employment is carried out throughout the entire month and not only at the end of it.
At the same time, he noticed an increase in the use of virtual wallets that have already become popular in a large part of San Juan society. “There we have seen a lot of consumption,” he highlighted.
At the national level there was also an increase in the use of credit cards, although not as strong as in San Juan. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC), in August of this year, 46.2% of transactions were made with credit, while in the same period of 2023 that figure reached 36.3%. That is, there was a 10% increase in one year.
Falling sales
San Juan supermarkets continue to be concerned about the decline in sales. Andrea López indicated that sales are falling and there is still no recovery.
Meanwhile, Pelletier said that from August to September 2024, his company’s turnover fell by 16%. “Talking to suppliers, I understand that the majority are going through the same thing,” he said. The owner of Cabral stated that they were hit by the drop in employment in public works activity, whose salaries fueled the purchases and now that circulating money is no longer on the street.
“Unlike other provinces, San Juan has a significant dependence on public works,” he continued.
Regarding future prospects, the businessman stated that: “Today we seek to at least maintain ourselves. Maintain the structure as much as possible and wait. We are coming from July and the truth is we do not have any response to anything. Honestly, we are waiting for improve the scene.”
In the country, INDEC reported that in August 2024, the total sales index at constant prices shows a drop of 10.1% compared to the same month of 2023 in supermarkets. Meanwhile, the seasonally adjusted series index shows an increase of 0.2% compared to the previous month.
