Commercial activity grew 1.30% in November 2023

In November of 2023, the Commerce Sector registered an increase of 1.30%, compared to the same month of the last year, due to the positive evolution of the wholesale and retail commerce; meanwhile that the automotive commerce decrease. Between January and November of 2023, the commercial activity increased 2.39%.

The wholesale commerce grew by 1.69%, due to the increase in the sale of solid, liquid, gas fuels and lubricants, based on the demand of the mining and hydrocarbons sector, retail supply centers and y domestic gas distributors. Likewise, the sale of other type of machinery and equipment for mining, construction, sanitation, industry and health sectors, driven by public-private tenders and preventive measures before the El Niño phenomenon.

The sale of foods, beverages and tobacco increased by the greater consumption of foods products, carbonated drinks due to summer season and pre-Christmas campaign. With the same trend evolved the sale of agricultural raw materials and the sale of live animals, driven by the coffee campaigns such as “Expocafé” and “Ficafé”, greater demand of grains, poultry and balanced foods for animals. Also showed growth the wholesale of agriculture machinery, equipment and supplies such combine harvesters, threshing machine, tractors and technified irrigations systems. Finally, the sale of metals and metal ores increased before the greater list of gold, copper and zinc in international markets.

Nevertheless, the wholesale of construction materials and the sale of waste, scrap and other products decreased.

Retail commerce increased by 1.73% in November of 2023, influenced by the sale of fuels and lubricants for automotive vehicles in gas stations and self-services gas stations. In addition, it grew the sale of agro-chemical products, spares of machinery, products for pets, basket of food supplies, optic products, mobile devices and its accessories.

Likewise, the sale of computers, and peripherical units, computer programs and telecommunication equipment increased due to hardware and software upgrade. Likewise, there was more sale of snacks and beverages through vending machines, as well as sales by catalogue, of children’s games and toys due to the proximity of Christmas feast. In addition, it was registered an increase in the level of sale of books, newspapers and stationary items before the greater demand of educational material, of office and stationary items. Finally, the sale of textile products in specialized warehouses registered an increase due to the greater demand of fabrics and haberdashery products.

On the other hand, the sale in supermarkets and minimarkets decreased; as well of the sale in department stores; and the sale of pharmaceutical and medicine products, cosmetics and toiletries.

The automotive commerce registered a contraction of 3.77%, due to the low commercialization of automotive vehicles and the lower sale, maintenance and repair of motorcycles and its parts, pieces and accessories due to the lower demand in the market and the increase of prices. Likewise, the sale of parts, pieces and accessories of automotive vehicles and the maintenance and repair of automotive vehicles.