Supermarkets and malls across Paraguay will open normally this weekend, which includes the August 15 holiday, the date of the founding of Asunción, and Children's Day, celebrated on Sunday. The Paraguayan Supermarket Chamber (Capasu) and the Paraguayan Shopping Mall Chamber (CCCPy) confirmed that establishments will maintain extended hours to accommodate the expected increase in customers.
In supermarkets, most stores will operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, according to Capasu president Gustavo Lezcano. Convenience stores, in turn, will remain open 24 hours. "In most cases, we will be serving from seven in the morning until nine at night," said Lezcano. Malls will have differentiated hours: commercial stores will open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., while food courts will operate from 11 a.m. to midnight, and cafeterias from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The sector expects sales growth, driven mainly by purchases for Children's Day. Eugenio Caje, spokesperson for the Paraguayan Importers and Merchants Association (Asimcopar), noted that the August 15 holiday alone does not usually generate a significant impact on commerce, but its proximity to Children's Day should boost sales of toys, sweets, and children's products.
The cold weather and rain forecast for the weekend may influence consumption habits. Lezcano explained that with low temperatures, beer sales have fallen, while demand for wine, fernet, and other distilled beverages has increased. Additionally, consumption of barbecue meat may be affected if weather conditions do not improve. "When the weather does not help, consumers opt for other types of meals, and the turnover of barbecue cuts decreases," he observed.
Despite weather variations, supermarkets report a slight sales growth compared to last year, maintaining the positive trend of the first half. To attract customers, chains are promoting offers on meat cuts, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, sweets, cookies, and toys.
Another observed trend is the increase in electronic transactions. According to Capasu data, in more premium segments, about 90% of purchases are made with cards, half with debit and the rest with credit. In lower-income brackets, electronic transactions represent 60% of operations, with 85% of those being debit. Cash use accounts for 40% of sales in this group. Asimcopar recorded a similar distribution: 63% of sales are paid with cards, 35% in cash, and the remainder through vouchers or other means.