Background on ANTAD and its Relevance
The Asociación Nacional de Tiendas de Autoservicio y Departamentales (ANTAD) is a prominent trade organization in Mexico, representing major retail chains such as Soriana, Chedraui, Walmart, and others. ANTAD plays a crucial role in monitoring sales trends and providing insights into the retail sector’s performance.
Sales Performance in March 2025
According to ANTAD’s monthly report, the sales of affiliated stores increased by 1.0% in March compared to the same month in 2024, reaching a total of 130.7 billion pesos.
This growth rate marks the lowest increase for a single month since March 2019, when sales rose by only 0.6% in similar stores.
Comparison with Previous Month
Although the 1.0% growth is positive when compared to February’s -1.7%, which was the first decline in four years, the overall trend shows a slowdown.
Sales by Store Format
- Self-service stores: Soriana, Chedraui, Sitio Market, and H-E-B experienced the highest sales growth in March, with a 2.6% increase in same-store sales and a 5.7% rise in total store sales.
- Specialty stores: Extra, iShop, Farmacias San Pablo, and Julio saw a 1.7% rise in same-store sales and a 5.5% increase in total store sales.
- Department stores: Liverpool, El Palacio de Hierro, Sears, and Suburbia had a weaker performance, with a 1.7% decline in same-store sales and a 0.4% decrease in total store sales.
First Quarter Performance
In the first quarter of 2025, same-store sales grew by only 0.3%, while total store sales increased by 2.9%, according to ANTAD’s report.
Expert Analysis and Future Outlook
Antonio Hernández, an analyst at Actinver Casa de Bolsa, explained that sales for ANTAD-affiliated stores have shown their weakest performance since 2021, affected by the ongoing pandemic.
Richard Horbach, an analyst at Intercam Casa de Bolsa, noted a gloomy outlook for ANTAD’s sales in the coming months. The contraction in the U.S. economy and trade tensions are adding pressure to the overall economic environment and retail sector.
The Reserva Federal de Atlanta projects a 1.5% decline in the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the same period, which would negatively impact Mexico’s economy and consumer spending.
The shift in the timing of Easter this year, from March 2024 to April 2025, also contributed to the lower sales growth in March compared to the previous year’s high base.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is ANTAD? ANTAD is the National Association of Self-Service and Department Stores, a Mexican trade organization representing major retail chains.
- Why is the 1.0% growth significant? This growth rate represents the lowest increase for a single month since March 2019, indicating a slowdown in sales growth.
- How do different store formats perform? Self-service stores showed the highest sales growth, while department stores had a weaker performance.
- What factors affect ANTAD’s sales outlook? The contraction in the U.S. economy, trade tensions, and shifts in holiday spending patterns (like Easter) contribute to the gloomy outlook for ANTAD’s sales.
