Retail Sales in Mexico Expanded 10.8% in 2012 Amy Guthrie - Dow Jones
go to original January 29, 2013

MEXICO CITY - Mexican retail association Antad said Monday that total sales at its member establishments increased 7.2% on the year in December and 10.8% for the full year amid healthy economic conditions and chain stores' segmentation to better serve a broader swath of consumer buying power.

Same-store sales in December rose 2.3% on the year, and 4.7% for all of 2012.

The broader retail market outperformed the December and full-year sales at Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB, the country's largest retailer, which has been struggling to generate foot traffic.

Antad, whose 103 members run more than 30,000 retail outlets, including supermarkets and department stores, said total sales in 2012 came to 1.08 trillion pesos ($86 billion).

Sales at department stores grew the most, by 13.5%, driven by strong purchases of shoes and clothing despite still-intense competition from street markets.

The Mexican economy is seen having expanded by nearly 4% in 2012, for a third consecutive year of hearty economic growth, helping to lift more Mexican families into the middle class.

Last year also marked Mexico's second year of Black Friday-style discounts, held in November, which contributed significantly to the year's total sales.

Antad members invested $3.6 billion last year as they opened more than 1,900 stores, the association said.

This year, the association projects that same-store sales will grow 5% and that total sales will expand 11.5%, aided by the new-store openings.

Antad members plan to invest an additional $4 billion in store expansions and openings in 2013.

Write to Amy Guthrie at amy.guthrie@dowjones.com

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