Buen Fin Sales Surge 26.6%, Lifting Mexico’s 2026 Retail Outlook

This week in retail news: Mexico’s El Buen Fin 2025 recorded a 26.6% surge in sales, supporting forecasts of 5% sector growth in 2026. In the US, retailers risk losing up to US$320 billion in e-commerce revenue by 2029 if proposed high tariffs take effect, while Shein was ordered by French regulators to tighten its compliance controls. An expert contributor closed the week by warning that long-term retail success depends not on seasonal sales spikes but on year-round operational discipline and data-driven strategy, arguing that Christmas merely exposes existing weaknesses.

More news below:

US Retail Faces US$320 Billion Threat from Proposed High Tariffs

The US retail sector is confronting a strategic challenge driven by proposed high tariffs and increasingly price-sensitive consumers, with the e-commerce market projected to lose hundreds of billions of dollars if current trade policies remain unchanged. Maintaining a high-tariff regime would reduce US e-commerce revenue by roughly US$320 billion (MX$5.8 trillion) by 2029 compared with a free-trade environment. 

France Pulls Back on Shein Ban, Tightens Platform Rules

France has ordered Shein to implement stronger compliance controls for products sold on its platform, but has withdrawn its earlier demand for a three-month suspension. The initial request followed the discovery of childlike sex dolls and banned weapons listed on the site.

El Buen Fin 2025 Sales Jump 26.6%, Beating Forecasts

The El Buen Fin 2025 shopping event exceeded federal and private sector sales expectations, reaching MX$219 billion (US$12 billion), a 26.6% increase over the previous year. The results were announced jointly by the SE and the CONCANACO SERVYTUR México. The SE confirmed that the week-long discount program surpassed the MX$173 billion reported in 2024 by MX$46 billion. He noted that this year’s performance “sets a high bar” for 2026.

Mexico’s Retail Sector Sees 3,000 New Stores, 5% Growth in 2026

The Mexican retail sector is poised for continued expansion in 2026 despite global uncertainty and economic deceleration. The industry expects to open at least 3,000 new stores across self-service, department, specialty, and convenience formats, according to a study by consultancy Todo Retail. The forecast also projects retail sales growth of at least 5% in 2026, exceeding the rates anticipated by the National Association of Self-Service and Department Stores (ANTAD) for 2025 and those recorded in 2024.

The Myth of Christmas as a Fix-All: What Really Sustains Retail

Anabell Trejo, CEO and Co-Founder, Getin, argues that Christmas does not fix underlying retail problems; it exposes them. Holiday traffic acts as a stress test that magnifies weak planning, poor execution, and a lack of data-driven decision-making. Sustainable success comes from year-round operational discipline, strategic use of technology, and understanding customer behavior long before December arrives.