📊 E-commerce Revenue Rises, Real Spending Slips
The Argentine Chamber of E-Commerce (CACE) released data showing the sector's revenue reached $19,533,815 million Argentine pesos in the first half of 2026, a 28% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Yet, since Argentina's inflation rate stood at 33.5% in June, the real value of sales actually fell by about 3%.
This reveal the nation's purchasing power, still reeling from years of economic instability. The news contradicts optimistic reports from Mercado Libre (MELI), Argentina's leading e-commerce platform, which saw real revenue grow 38% in the country during the same period, according to its founder, Marcos Galperin.
For context, Argentina has been through serious economic challenges, including high inflation and currency devaluation. The e-commerce sector is, thus, closely watched as a crucial market that reflects overall consumption.
📦 More Orders, More Products, but Smaller Ticket Size
The CACE study shows a positive trend: the number of purchase orders jumped to 181.5 million, up 21% year-on-year, with 248 million products sold (a 22% rise). This translates to an average of one million orders per day.
However, the average ticket price remained virtually flat, sitting at 107,597 Argentine pesos, just 5% higher than last year. This is mainly because shoppers are switching to cheaper categories, and many staples like electronics, have had their prices adjusted slowly, pushing up volume.
A standout point: e-commerce is now the go-to choice for many consumers seeking convenience. In fact, the digital channel already accounts for 28% of all sales for the companies surveyed, and 60% of them predict their online sales will keep growing at the same or even faster pace than physical stores.
🛒 Top-Selling Categories: What are Shoppers Buying?
Here's a breakdown of the categories leading in revenue:
- 🥫 Food & Beverages (top in both units and revenue)
- 🔌 Home Appliances (White Goods)
- 🛠️ Tools & Construction
- ✨ Personal Care Products (top 3 in units sold)
In the mass consumption sector (tracked by consultant Scentia), online sales rose 41% year-on-year in June and 34.8% for the year-to-date. During that month, the biggest gains came from alcoholic drinks (+61.8%), food (+54.6%), and impulse buys (+45.2%).
🌎 The Cross-Border Boom
The report also highlights a surge in cross-border online shopping. A record 18% of consumers made their first international purchase in 2026. While 64% still shop abroad only occasionally, these purchases already represent 6% of total e-commerce revenue.
Digital content and apparel are the most sought-after categories. Among platforms, Temu and Shein are growing fast, with 23% and 20% jumps in usage, respectively. Meanwhile, Mercado Libre remains the undisputed market leader, while Amazon and AliExpress have seen a decline in usage.
When it comes to payments, credit cards are still king, but their dominance is shrinking as digital wallets and online debit gain ground. In a crisis, buying in installments has become a vital lifeline: more and more businesses now offer plans of 7 to 12 installments to ease the burden on consumers' pockets.
🔮 What’s Next?
Looking forward, there's cautious optimism. 55% of businesses expect more orders in the second half of the year, thanks to slowing inflation and a more stable economy.
"The online channel keeps growing and solidifying its place in everyday habits. The challenge is no longer whether to be digital, but how to evolve to offer better consumer experiences," said Andrés Zaied, President of CACE.
Source: Infobae, La Voz del Interior, El Eco de Tandil.