The large supermarket chains ended the first month of the year with a drop of 7.2%, partly due to promotions. On the other hand, the Government lifted increases in prepayments, allowing them to freely set the values of the installments and vary the adjustment percentage according to each health plan. This measure will mainly harm the elderly.
According to the consulting firm Scentia, 2024 ended with a drop of 13.9% compared to the same month in 2023, making it the third worst record in the last 22 years. Neighborhood stores, such as self-services, grocery stores, and small shops, were the most affected, experiencing a drop of over 13%.
Regarding prisoner escapes, several detainees escaped from different police stations in CABA in recent months, causing concern among authorities. Additionally, in relation to pensioners, the Consumer Price Index was 2.2% in January, which implied a corresponding increase in the pension payments from ANSES. However, the additional bonus will remain at $70,000 with no prospects for a short-term increase.
Union leaders announced a teachers' strike for February 24 and March 5 due to the lack of agreement with the national government to improve teachers' salaries. The Confederation of Educational Workers (CTERA) is also awaiting a negotiation call to define possible measures of force.
In another area, the deregulation of the yerba mate industry in Argentina has triggered a protest from producers in Misiones asking for better prices for the raw material. This crisis in the sector could lead to a national shortage.
Finally, the IMF expressed doubts about a new program between the organization and the Argentine Government in a context marked by the economic crisis and the crypto-scam. Luis Caputo announced the massive purchase of shares through the Sustainability Guarantee Fund (FGS) of ANSES and the Central Bank, in an attempt to mitigate the financial situation of the country.
