The increase was influenced by the rise of two of the three divisions that make up the index prepared by the National Institute of Statistics of Chile.

Trade activity in Chile had been accumulating 20 months of negative variations. However, in January 2024, the indicator carried out by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) increased by 2.9% over twelve months.

In this way, the streak established since May 2022 is broken, influenced by two of the three divisions that make up the Trade Activity Index (IAC) at constant prices.

TRADE ACTIVITY RISE AGAIN AND BREAKS 20-MONTH DOWN STREAK

This is the Wholesale Trade sector (except motor vehicles and motorcycles), which had the most impact on the interannual variation with an increase of 5.9% and a contribution of 2,508 percentage points (pp.). Within the division, the contribution of wholesale sales of food, beverages and tobacco stands out.

On the other hand, Retail trade (also excluding vehicles and motorcycles), grew by 2.8%, affecting 1,324 ppp. to the index, largely influenced by the greater commercialization of pharmaceutical, medicinal, cosmetic and toiletry products in specialized stores.

Finally, Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles contracted by 8.0%, subtracting 0.884 pp., thanks to the drop in vehicle sales.

The Supermarket Sales Index (ISUP) at constant prices fell 3.0% for twelve months, while the seasonally adjusted and calendar effect corrected series had a growth of 1.8% compared to the previous month and -1.0 % year-on-year.

The Retail Electrical Trade Index (ICEM) also increased by 3.8% in twelve months, thanks to the increase in the sale of electronic products, for home equipment and electronics.