In Chile, this is not something unusual; Argentine neighbors regularly cross the border to do their shopping on the other side of the Cordillera, where prices are sometimes more attractive. But in recent weeks, this trend has accelerated considerably. Thousands of Argentines go to Chilean shopping centers to stock up on purchases.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Santiago, Chile, Naïla Derroisné
After the president came to power Javier Mileithe economic situation ofArgentina – already very unstable – has become even more complicated. With the devaluation of the local currency, the price of many products and services has almost doubled in Argentina. And even though it has slowed, inflation still remains very high. In a shopping center north of the Chilean capital, the Argentines are easily recognizable, they drag behind them their empty suitcases, but which they fill very quickly.
Delfina bought winter clothes and sports clothes. With her mother, they arrived by plane from Buenos Aires, and plan to stay four days in the Chilean capital to tour the shopping centers. “ I will buy what I need. Pants, joggers and sweatshirts for my boys. In Argentina, I buy pants and a sweatshirt, here for the same price, I buy three, even four. »
50% Argentinian customers on weekends
And she says, even with the price of the plane ticket, the trip is very profitable. Cayetano, a young Argentinian from Mendoza, drove all night and crossed the border for a day of shopping. “ The price difference between the two countries is abysmal. It’s cheaper by half or more, especially for clothing and electronics. »
Some Argentines also sensed a good plan, as this saleswoman from a sports store recounts: “ They buy and then resell. Just yesterday, an Argentinian gentleman bought 400 euros worth of sporting goods. »
On weekends, Argentinians represent up to 50% of the customers in this shopping center, with even entire buses full of cross-border commuters coming to look for good deals.
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