The first Day without VAT this year exceeded the sales estimates that merchants had of $8 billion, but these totaled $9.1 billion, according to a consolidated report from the Ministry of Commerce and the Dian.
“The sales of the day show that the measure of the Day without VAT has been well received by consumers as well as by merchants and industrialists. With this valuable tool we are stimulating consumption, electronic invoicing and collection, with enormous benefits for the country”, assured the Minister of Commerce, María Ximena Lombana.
The items that increased sales the most compared to the first day without VAT last year were sporting goods, with 75%, clothing with 57.1%, agricultural products for consumption with 44%, computers and peripherals with 38.4%, and household appliances with 25.1%.
Faced with these results, the director of the Dian, Lisandro Junco, highlighted that in a month that historically is not one of high consumption, it was evident that the growth in consumption marks an important guideline in the dynamics and economic strength of the country.
For his part, the president of Fenalco, Jaime Alberto Cabal, affirmed that sales of more than $9 billion showed that the expectations of the merchants were met and even exceeded the estimated goal, which was conservative, by an additional billion.
“We reiterate that it is proven that this is an instrument that was positioned among Colombians for the benefit of all: consumers, merchants and, of course, the government itself, which sees an increase in VAT collection for goods not exempt”, noted the union leader.
local performance
Claudia Bustamante, chief economist at Fenalco Antioquia, said that sales estimates of $1.1 billion were also exceeded in this department, reaching $1.3 billion.
In the followingnoon hours of Friday there was a greater dynamism and influx of consumers in stores and shopping centers, from where sales of technology and appliances (refrigerators and washing machines) stood out.
“Textiles did not show the expected takeoff in Antioquia because in December many had ensured the premiere, but a good dynamism was appreciated in the sales of sportswear, footwear and fertilizers. The dynamic that took place through the digital platforms of commerce was also highlighted,” he concluded.
