In 2012 in Maracaibo there was 100% commercial occupancy, but that reality changed drastically during the pandemic. Between 2022 and 2023 the Maracaibo Chamber of Commerce registered an improvement, however, by 2024 the indicator stagnated and they currently have 6% of open stores
The regions are the most affected by the public services crisis in Venezuela. Only this November 12, the power outages in Nueva Esparta lasted for eight hours; Maracaibo is also among the entities that have had to stop their activities due to the lack of electricity. These, among other problems, have led to the closure of stores.
In 2012 in Maracaibo there was 100% commercial occupancy in the six main commercial corridors. That reality changed after the pandemic, for every 10 stores six were empty, according to data from the Maracaibo Chamber of Commerce (CCM).
Between 2022 and 2023 they noticed an improvement, however, for 2024 the indicator stagnated and they currently have 6% of open stores, which means that for every 6 open businesses, 4 have closed their doors.
A CCM study also indicates that water supply is the public service least valued by Marabino businessmen and the best valued is urban sanitation, says a note Consecomercio press release released this Wednesday, November 13.
*Read also: Consecomercio and Atenas Group sign agreement to collect data on the commercial sector
Home purchases
Other data disclosed corresponds to Atenas Consulting Group. The firm records an increase in household spending of 13.3% and a 5.7% increase in units purchased between January and September of this year.
In that period, purchases grew in the categories of: food, personal care, impulse products (chocolates, candies, chewing gum, gummies, snacks, cookies), dairy products, liquor, home maintenance, medicines and proteins. The basic food and non-alcoholic beverage segments decreased 4.5% and 0.8% in value, respectively.
Regarding the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Venezuela, the director of Macroconsultores, Misael Díaz, indicated that they foresee the evolution of the country’s economic activity during 2024 to be positive, with a GDP that will most likely increase by more than 5 %. “This recovery of productive activity will have a favorable impact on commercial activity,” he said.
Regarding opportunities in the sector, Díaz considers that commerce has great growth potential by applying innovation and relying on new digital technologies to facilitate the exploration of new markets and products and better understand customer needs.
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