Large purchases are delineated by paying utilities, but the offer also includes basic products

Gabriel Tomalá settled in the hardware department of the Coral Hypermarket to compare the prices of some plastic blocks, taking advantage of the first day of the profit fair that this chain started on April 12. He had already collected his, so he went around the hangers to buy what he needed for the home, taking advantage of discounts from 10% to 80% and 2×1.

This year, better sales are expected with an additional payment that will be made by about 1.6 million workers, who normally reap the profit, according to the records of the Ministry of Labor from previous years.

“Our expectations are to exceed the 2022 campaign. Last year we worked with some kind of pandemic, because the capacity was not 100%, but our expectation is to double the interest of customers in the offers we have. Having 40% – 50% compared to last year,” says Juan Carlos Guerrero, manager of the store located on Carlos Julio Arosemena Avenue.

Promotions will be valid until Monday, April 17 in four lines: clothing, electrical appliances, supermarket and hardware store. 2×1 is in spirits, hardware, automotive and supermarket products; while in the final part up to 80%; in the home, mattresses, furniture, discounts are from 10% to 20%. For household appliances, such as televisions, 10%, and if payment is in cash, an additional 10%.

How to consult the payment of utilities 2023 in the Ministry of Labour

He mostly bets on big purchases. Ambiensa, for example, promotes immediate delivery houses with a discount of $4,000 to invest profits. This real estate manager is one of the participants of the Habitat 2023 fair that started on April 12 at the Guayaquil Convention Center.

And April is precisely the month in which more apartments are booked in Ecuador, and it is no coincidence that it coincides with the payment of utilities to workers.

Caridad Vela, director and co-founder of the magazine A cluea specialized publication for the real estate sector, confirms this particularity and talks about the differences compared to other dates in which workers also receive additional earnings, but no similar behavior is generated: “April is the month of the year in which the largest number of apartments are reserved, we think that maybe it’s due to the payment of utilities, but that concept is somewhat contrary to what would happen in November”, when all employees know that they will receive an award in December, that certainty is not there in April, but “interestingly, the most reservations are made in April .” In April and November, Vela organizes Clave housing fairs in Quito.

For this reason, he believes that the payment of utilities can be connected to the fact that April is such a strong month in the housing stock, but he points out that the organized housing fairs are also a strong trigger. The Clave fair will be in Quito next week.

Jaime Rumbea, spokesperson for the Association of Ecuadorian Entrepreneurs for Real Estate and Housing (Apiva), shares a similar opinion. “Housing month is the moment in which the largest number of offers for promotions, available projects and availability of house money are collected, because then utilities are paid, and not only in households, but also the one who is a businessman liquidates the profitability or dividend of his company.

Until when do companies have to pay profits to their employees?

For economic analyst Jorge Calderón, the main expenses that are realized with overheads, in the case of Obala, are for the school period, among them pension advances.

In addition, according to Calderón, it is also used to lower the house, vehicle, as well as things that are needed at home, pay off debts, such as consumer loans, credit cards, travel and clothing.

Calderón indicates that another option is saving or investing, but he provides a clarification between the concepts of these terms. “The citizen thinks it’s the same. Saving means that I put my money in a financial instrument and do not touch it for a certain period of time, while investing means that I put that money through an intermediary, let’s call it brokerage houses, among other things in companies, corporations, bonds. “.

The financial sector encourages savings. Bolivarian Bank launched the campaign “Savings or never” for clients who open a savings account, a more active account or a certificate of deposit. They will organize weekly raffles in the amount of $50, the value of which will be credited to the account. In addition, those who increase their balance may be entitled to financial advice. Savings and credit cooperative Juventud Ecuatoriana Progresista (Yep) also encourages investment of profits and enjoyment of benefits.

How many consecutive years can the company not pay a profit to its employees?

The chains also hope to improve sales with profits and add other promotions. In the case of Orve Hogar, with a longer period to start paying: “Invest your earnings in a new TV and the inches you want so much, the best thing is to pay from July.” While Megamaxi combines it with Mother’s Day: “Mom, your car. Use your earnings!”, alluding to the tire promotion.

In the field of vehicles, Chevrolet Through his TikTok account, he promotes his various models, including Joy HB Black and Ónix Turbo, with a 15% entry fee.