{
  "id": 2434623,
  "title": "Consumption improves in July but still struggles to recover",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/consumption-improves-in-july-but-still-struggles-to-recover-2434623",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-21T21:31:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Buenos Aires Herald",
    "slug": "buenos-aires-herald-buenosaire",
    "url": "https://buenosairesherald.com/economics/consumption-improves-in-july-but-still-struggles-to-recover"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In July, consumer spending exhibited a 4.2% increase, yet year-over-year sales remain 2.6% below July 2025 figures, with a 2.9% decline for the year 2026. The Scentia consulting firm's monthly tracking survey revealed that only the pharmacy and e-commerce sectors experienced growth compared to 2025. Pharmacy sales surged 0.2% in the first seven months, while e-commerce surged 35.6% from January to June of last year, a 40% year-over-year increase.\n\nThe Milei administration attributes the retail sales decline to shifting consumer habits instead of reduced purchasing power. Mercado Libre founder Marcos Galperín, echoing the president's views, credits e-commerce for the growth. However, the Argentine Chamber of E-Commerce (CACE) cautions that e-commerce's contribution to total domestic demand is modest, accounting for about 8%.\n\nConsumer confidence, as measured by the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) from Di Tella University, declined 1.1% month-over-month in August, marking two consecutive drops after a 4.8% July decline, currently at 40.2 points—an April low. This sentiment mirrors the September 2025 level following Buenos Aires Province legislative elections where Milei faced defeat. Consumer perceptions of personal circumstances deteriorated 3.1% compared to the previous month, as did willingness to purchase durable goods and real estate.",
  "summary": "The sector showed a 4.2% monthly improvement with e-commerce leading the way, but y-o-y sales continue to be down La entrada Consumption improves in July but still struggles to recover se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Buenos Aires Herald",
        "title": "Consumption improves in July but still struggles to recover",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/consumption-improves-in-july-but-still-struggles-to-recover",
        "published": "2026-08-21T21:31:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}