Cancún Street Markets See Sales Climb 15-20% as Vendors Return

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Street market traders in Cancún are seeing the first signs of recovery after several difficult months marked by falling income and slower commercial activity, with sales up between 15 and 20 percent over the past two weeks, according to Paloma Ortega Cuervo, general secretary of the Quintana Roo Union of Street Markets and Ambulatory Vendors.

Ortega Cuervo said the upturn has lifted expectations among traders, particularly those who had to suspend operations temporarily because earnings no longer covered their costs. Some sellers have already returned to their usual pitches, she said, pointing to a gradual reactivation of commerce.

Even so, the sector remains short of the participation levels it had before the economic slump. Ortega Cuervo estimated that roughly another 15 days may pass before a larger number of vendors set up their stalls regularly again, as sales conditions improve and more shoppers turn out.

She said Day of the Dead celebrations helped rekindle activity over the past few days. Last weekend the markets drew about 10,000 visitors, a turnout that boosted vendors’ operations and offered a more encouraging picture than previous months. Favorable weather also made it easier for families and consumers to reach the various market sites.

The combination of greater foot traffic, seasonal festivities and renewed buyer interest produced better results for traders, who now hold favorable expectations for the end of the year, especially December, when Christmas and New Year celebrations traditionally drive consumption. Ortega Cuervo said the season could be an important opportunity to consolidate the recovery and lift the incomes of those who depend directly on the trade.

Day of the Dead Event Draws 110,000

Ortega Cuervo also highlighted the results of activities organized for Day of the Dead, saying public participation far exceeded expectations. She said the event drew about 110,000 people, compared with more than 20,000 visitors the previous year.

Market vendors took part in the cultural and traditional program, setting up an altar and handing out free candied pumpkin to attendees as part of the popular expressions associated with the holiday. Their involvement in such gatherings gives sellers a chance to reach new customers and strengthen their presence in the community.

Cancún’s tianguis are now in a phase of gradual recovery backed by higher sales, the return of traders and larger crowds of buyers. Activity has not fully returned to the levels seen before the hardest months, but recent figures and the outlook for December offer a brighter picture for a sector that forms a key part of the city’s informal economy.