Women entrepreneurs in the food and restaurant industry in Mazatlán are facing one of their most challenging sales periods, amidst the ongoing violence and its economic impact on the state and municipality, particularly for businesses operating at night.
Catalina Castañeda Estrada, president of the Sinaloa Executive Businesswomen Association in Mazatlán, reported that sales have decreased by up to 40 percent, forcing some members to suspend operations.
She explained that the association represents approximately 100 businesswomen, about 20 percent of whom work in the restaurant sector, one of the hardest hit at the moment.
“People aren’t going out in the late afternoon and evening, and that’s where sales have dropped the most. They’re complaining; their sales have fallen by 40 or 50 percent. Some restaurants that were doing very well are now saying, ‘No, I simply have no sales.’ Because of this, they’ve even adjusted their hours, closing earlier,” she said.
She explained that the low foot traffic during the afternoon and evening hours has forced businesses to modify their operations, mainly by closing earlier to reduce losses; however, she noted that there are high expectations for the Easter holiday period, during which they anticipate a sales surge that will provide some financial relief.
She also warned that the perception of insecurity and the way the situation in the destination is portrayed also impacts economic activity.
Castañeda Estrada pointed out that the association provides support to women in various sectors, such as professional services, health, beauty, and food, promoting not only business strengthening but also personal development.
“There are businesswomen who are already well-established and participate in our program, they help us. They share their experience so that those who are just starting out can develop positioning strategies,” she noted.
She added that formalizing businesses is a key requirement for women seeking to join the association, as they must be registered with the tax authorities to access benefits and become part of the organization, which also contributes to their business growth and consolidation.
Source: oem
