Buenos Aires, December 24 (NA) – Toy sales for this Christmas fell by 6.9% in units compared to 2024, reported the Argentine Chamber of the Toy Industry. The entity stated that there was more cautious consumption among households with lower incomes, according to the Argentine News Agency. The president of the entity, Matías Furió, said that nevertheless, December surpassed the forecasts when compared to November, a month in which a sharp drop had been recorded. “In the days leading up to Christmas Eve, an improvement in activity was noted, although it was not enough to compensate for the drop in Children's Day or the strong setbacks of the previous months,” Furió explained. The Chamber indicated that promotions, discounts, and financing options were key to sustaining part of the activity, especially in last-minute purchases. Additionally, the drop in interest rates benefited both consumers and businesses, which were able to offer more affordable installments. Credit cards, virtual wallets, and other electronic means concentrated nearly 95% of transactions, with cash being practically absent. Online sales, which represent approximately 25% of the market, recorded a stable volume compared to the previous year, showing no growth, according to the CAIJ. The average ticket varied depending on the sales channel: in neighborhood toy stores it was around $19,000 per toy, in supermarkets it was about $10,000, and in specialized chains it rose to approximately $45,000. Among the most in-demand categories are educational toys for early childhood, outdoor items, family board games, craft sets, and dolls. Growth was also noted in the search and sale of interactive plush toys and simple tech toys.
