Argentina July Supermarket Sales +16.7% On Yr, -0.5% On Mo

BUENOS AIRES (Dow Jones)–Argentina’s July supermarket sales were up 16.7% on the year but down 0.5% on the month, the national statistics agency, Indec, reported Monday.

Both figures are seasonally adjusted.

As measured in current prices, sales totaled ARS7.1 billion (almost $1.7 billion) in July.

According to Indec, the consumer price index is up 9.7% on the year. But most economists say Indec’s inflation data are inaccurate and that true inflation easily surpasses 20%.

Indec officials deny the charge and say their data are better than ever.

Indec’s supermarket sales data are based on a survey of 65 distribution companies across the country.

(Alberto Messer contributed to this article.)

-By Taos Turner, Dow Jones Newswires; 5411-4103-6728; taos.turner@dowjones.com

BUENOS AIRES (Dow Jones)–Argentina’s July supermarket sales were up 16.7% on the year but down 0.5% on the month, the national statistics agency, Indec, reported Monday.

Both figures are seasonally adjusted.

As measured in current prices, sales totaled ARS7.1 billion ($1.7 billion) in July.

According to Indec, the consumer price index is up 9.7% on the year. But most economists say Indec’s inflation data are inaccurate and that true inflation easily surpasses 20%.

Indec officials deny the charge and say their data are better than ever.

Indec’s supermarket sales data are based on a survey of 65 distribution companies across the country.

Soruce: online.wsj.com