This is reflected in the most recent report from the Union of Kiosks of the Argentine Republic (UKRA), which warned that “sales are much lower. There’s no money. People are switching to second-rate brands and buying cheaper cigarettes.”

In an interview with Radio Rivadavia, UKRA Vice President Ernesto Acuna described the situation as “a kiosk is like a postcard of a city, a town, but they are closing for several reasons. The main one is the recession that has been going on for some time.”

“For the first time, we have fewer than 100,000 kiosks,” said the union leader, who warned that “in the second half of the year, prices are going to skyrocket. Regardless of who’s in power, regardless of political affiliation, there’s always speculation, the dollar skyrockets, and prices rise,” he emphasized.

He gave the example that “an average triple-baked alfajor costs 1,500 pesos ($1.15). As another cause affecting them, he pointed out that in some places, due to higher rents or employees, costs are rising.”

In other economic news, the Association of National Entrepreneurs for Argentine Development (Enac) warned that in just over a year and a half of the libertarian government, 15,000 businesses have gone bankrupt.

This figure coincides with another: the closure of 40 businesses per day: a true economic and social massacre, Cesar Guereta, leader of ENAC, who noted that “SMEs are businesses that tend to grow, not shrink, and that potential is now being lost”, opined.

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