Overview

• Consumer confidence fell 13.87% in August, the steepest monthly drop since December 2023, with the sharpest decline in Buenos Aires City and Greater Buenos Aires, according to Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.
• Fast‑moving consumer goods rose 3.1% year over year in July and 4% month over month, yet performance diverged by channel as e‑commerce jumped 16.4% while wholesalers fell 7% and supermarket chains dropped 4.4%, Scentia reported.
• Middle‑class households report widespread cutbacks, with 48% reducing food purchases, 39% limiting clothing, 20% trimming transport and 28% cutting delivery orders, surveys by Bain & Company and Management & Fit show.
• Loan stress is building, with personal‑loan delinquency at 6.4% and credit‑card delinquency at 4.4% in June, reaching the highest levels since 2021 for both series, the central bank reported.
• Utilities now account for 18.2% of household spending and rank as the top payment priority, while higher‑income groups redirect more outlays to dollar‑priced durables, autos and travel as credit access improves, according to NielsenIQ and industry analysts.