Crisis at kiosks: 16,000 closed in one year in Argentina, leaving fewer than 100,000 in the country.

Last year, Argentina lost 16,000 kiosks , a figure that leaves the number of these formal businesses below 100,000. This figure was confirmed by Ernesto Acuña, vice president of the Union of Kiosk Owners of Argentina (UKRA), who warned that the massive closure is a direct hit to a daily symbol of neighborhood life.

The economic recession, the lack of regulation of large chains, and the sale of products traditionally exclusive to kiosks in other stores were cited as the main causes of this crisis , which threatens an icon of neighborhood culture.

"The kiosk is like a postcard of a city, a town, but they're closing for several reasons. The main one is the recession that's been going on for some time," he said in an interview with Radio Rivadavia.

Added to this was the proliferation of unregulated kiosk chains, which compete directly with traditional businesses.

"They're not regulated. Furthermore, products that were once only found at kiosks are now found in pharmacies with candy, Chinese supermarkets with cigarettes, or grocery stores with refrigerators that sell drinks," he explained.

The UKRA vice president explained that, according to data obtained in meetings with the Customs Revenue and Control Agency (ARCA), the number of active kiosks fell from 112,000 to 96,000 in one year.

"We asked how many active kiosk businesses there were, and they told us there were 96,000. For the first time, we're down to fewer than 100,000 kiosks," Acuña said, confirming that 16,000 businesses had closed in the past twelve months.

The drop in sales was another critical factor, and Acuña reported a 40% decline over the past two years, with a 30% to 35% drop in beverage sales during the summer.

"We're selling less, much less. There's no money. People are switching to second-rate brands, buying cheaper cigarettes," he said.

He also highlighted that operating costs, such as rent and salaries, vary depending on the location of each kiosk, further complicating profitability. "An average triple alfajor costs 1,500 pesos, but in some locations, due to higher rents or employees, costs go up," he added.

Asked about the impact of the dollar's rise, Acuña said: "It's the same thing that happens every time there's an election. In the second half of the year, prices are going to skyrocket. No matter who's in power, regardless of political affiliation, there's always speculation, the dollar skyrockets, and prices rise."