Supermarket and store sales rose just 1% in July: your paycheck buys less

In-store spending cooled in July. According to the National Association of Self-Service and Department Stores (ANTAD), sales at affiliated chains grew just 1.0% at same-stores —those open more than a year— versus the same month of 2025. Because that figure is nominal and does not strip out price increases, in real terms the household basket sold fell around 2% once adjusted for inflation, which ran at 3.12% annually in July according to INEGI.

The numbers. Counting newly opened branches, total-store sales rose 3.4% and reached 140.3 billion pesos for the month. For the January-to-July period, same-store growth is just 1.5%. By format, specialty stores were the only ones with clear gains (5.4% at same-stores); self-service —where groceries are bought— fell 0.9%, and department stores were flat (0.0%).

What it means. Nominal growth below inflation means households are buying fewer items or switching to cheaper products, even when they spend a few more pesos. It is a sign that the purchasing power of a paycheck is eroding, especially on basic supermarket spending.

What it means for Cancún. The local economy depends on tourism jobs and commerce, so when consumption cools, both family budgets and the sales of small neighborhood shops feel it. In a city with a high cost of living driven by tourism, every grocery peso counts more.

How to stretch your budget. Compare prices before you buy: Profeco publishes a weekly 'Who's Who in Prices' monitor showing which chains sell the basic basket for less. Favor bulk products and store brands, usually cheaper per unit; take advantage of midweek promotions, when stores are less crowded; and make a list to avoid impulse buys. For the 24 essential basic-basket products, the federal anti-inflation agreement (Pacic) remains in force, with a reference maximum price of 910 pesos: if you are charged more, you can verify it and file a complaint with Profeco.