the Game stores They join a long list of sectors facing deep crisis calamityThis is a result of the sharp decline in consumption and the significant opening of imports. This is how it is graphed Argentine Chamber of the Games Industry (CAIJ) In a report and confirmed by its president, who estimated this in recent months Closing 300 shops in the Strip.
According to the study issued by CAIJThis scenario is caused by a series of factors, including “profound demographic shifts, changes in gaming habits and… Negative economic and trade situation affecting local production, importers and retail trade.
Gaming crisis: “The problem is that there is no consumption.”
mathias Forio, The president of the Argentine Chamber of the Toy Industry (CAIJ) pointed out in an interview that the main problem of the sector is the sharp decline in consumption: “The problem today is not a problem of imports, because we have been competing all our lives in the national industry and making competitive games, our price is good and we are developing as in the last generation. In other words, we are lower than the prices of imported games. Today the problem that exists is another problem, which is that there is no consumption.”
In this sense, highlight it “It is not that toys from the national industry are not sold, and neither national nor imported ones are sold.”. From his industry perspective, he said: “Today the toy store, which is our main customer, is not selling. By not selling, it is not buying.”
He pointed out that what happens with games is also repeated in other sectors, such as “tourism, butcher shops, and bakeries.”
“The situation is worrying in every sense. At the end of the year, there will be more, because everyone says I will reach the end of the year because I have stock and I want to sell and then the curtains come down. But we are seeing the closure of traditional toy stores that are over 50 years old in the region,” said Forio, who pointed to the closure of various toy stores.
More than 300 toy stores, some of them historic, were closed
This was confirmed in “In recent months, 300 toy stores have closed.” He reiterated that many are waiting until the end of the year, “to finish selling the stock, because they are unable to pay the rent and all the expenses they have, because there is no consumption, and the toy store does not sell.”
Of the more than 300 closures in recent months, the Gaming Industry Chamber highlights three traditional establishments that have lowered their curtains:
- Rossier (Escobar): It closed in October 2025 after nearly 40 years at 500 Rivadavia Street, in front of the bus station. It will continue only as a virtual store.
- Halagu (Quilms): It closed its headquarters to the public after years of activity.
- Lillian (Trelio): A toy store with nearly 50 years of experience. “Three days have passed and we have not opened the box.”“, said its owner.
Game store crisis: “An unprecedented collapse in imports”
As detailed in the CAIJ report, consumption at nearby toy stores, chains and supermarkets shows no signs of recovery. As e-commerce grows, It represents only 25% of salesThis poses challenges for small and medium-sized companies.
At the same time, there is a noticeable increase in imports, direct purchases from abroad and smuggling. The CAIJ condemned the presence of games containing recall alerts in the United States that are displayed on the platforms, as well as products that, despite being declared “certified,” do not comply with regulations after being analyzed in laboratories.
Between January and October, toy imports arrived FOB US$91.3 million and 17.5 million K/sThis represents an annual increase of 59.5% in values and 94% in volume. China accounts for 85.7% of the value and 94.4% of the imported volume. He added: “In one year, the number of toy importers increased from 199 to 530, and from 9 million to 17.5 million kilos, with consumption decreasing. An unprecedented avalanche“Furio said
Factories in checks and business closures
The national toy industry can compete in terms of quality and design, but faces a structural disadvantage compared to China. Where labor and energy costs are much lower.
This disparity leads to deepening unfair competition. next to, Smuggling accounts for 30% of the market, as products enter without supervision and without meeting any safety standards. It represents a danger to families. Indicators show an accelerating deterioration, with stagnant sales, an oversupply of accumulated inventory for 2023, and negative profit margins at toy stores due to rising prices.
Factories take credit to pay salaries and bonuses, not for investment. Forio stated that “the industry has 6 out of 10 machines idled without production.”He added: “The tariff was reduced by 15%, but the prices of imported toys did not decrease.”
The current season shows a decline in purchase returns and a strong search for first prices. The average ticket in neighborhood stores is there $22,000While it arrives in large chains $49,000Of which more than 90% are compatible with imported products. The average public ticket is estimated at $35,000.
85% of transactions are made via credit cards, reflecting the need for financing. To assemble a Christmas tree in 2025, The cost can range from $30,000 for economy versions to over $100,000 for larger or premium formats.
Imports without controls, a warning sign
When referring to imports, Forio spoke of something “worrying”. “Games must only comply with the standards. They enter with a simple sworn declaration from abroad. Previously, they had to adhere to some rules: what the pool was, whether it was allowed to be in Argentina or not, and its size in relation to the age of the children. He explained that everything had to pass through state control.
“We’re in favor of deregulation, but not if you’re giving a one-year-old a toy with an affidavit of type They provide this to enter the country“He stressed.
“We know what a declaration Argentina issues, right? It’s not the United States that goes to prison if you lie on a sworn statement or something like that. Not here. This is what we told the government. The problem here is that one wants to do this kind of measurement and get certification from outside, but if something happens to you, nothing will happen here. That’s the problem right there. He added: “And this is what I thought of to end this matter and say so that people can see how serious this is.”