Business · Economy · 2 hrs ago
Puebla’s historic-centre shops say sales growth helped protect jobs
Shops in Puebla’s historic centre reported a 30% sales increase during the second half of the year.
The rise has helped them avoid a threatened loss of 10% of their jobs.
The merchants’ council represents 1,300 businesses with 2,500 jobs in the area.
Council president José Juan Ayala Vázquez said businesses are focused on keeping existing jobs, not creating new ones.
He said shops face challenges including insecurity, street vendors and competition from low-priced Chinese goods sold by established businesses.
The Buen Fin shopping event in mid-November could lift sales and help shops carry that momentum into the Christmas season.
Strong sales could help businesses get through the difficult first three months of 2027, but Ayala said the outlook depends on many factors.
The merchants also want better access to credit, and say local authorities should inspect businesses for goods they consider illegal.
Shops in Puebla’s historic centre said a 30% sales increase in the second half of 2026 helped prevent the loss of 10% of jobs.
José Juan Ayala Vázquez, head of the Historic Centre Merchants’ Council, said businesses were focused on keeping existing jobs rather than creating new ones.
The council represents 1,300 businesses that provide 2,500 jobs.
Ayala said the Buen Fin sales event in mid-November could help businesses finish the year with stronger sales.
He said businesses would need to meet sales targets to cope with the difficult first months of 2027.
- Who
- Shops in Puebla’s historic centre, represented by the Historic Centre Merchants’ Council.
- What
- A 30% rise in sales helped businesses avoid losing 10% of jobs.
- When
- In the second half of 2026.
- Where
- Puebla’s historic centre, Mexico.
- Why
- Higher sales gave businesses room to preserve jobs, though they said conditions were not right to create new ones.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Historic-centre shops reported a 30% increase in sales, which helped them avoid a 10% job loss.
The Buen Fin sales event was due to take place and was expected to help businesses close the year with stronger sales.
Ayala said this period would be difficult for businesses.
- Sales increase
- 30% in the second half of 2026
- Jobs at risk
- 10% of jobs
- Council representation
- 1,300 businesses
- Jobs represented
- 2,500
- Buen Fin
- Expected in mid-November 2026
What people are saying
If we reach our projected sales targets, it will help us get through the January slump, which lasts until March, but we cannot say that next year will be better, even if that is our hope, because we depend on many factors.
The increase in sales has given us a breathing space.