From Intuition to Intelligence: Data-Driven Solutions for Micro-Retail Decision-Making

Micro businesses represent 83% of Argentina’s businesses, yet many struggle to survive due to factors that most owners can’t identify or address. Our study, conducted in collaboration with FECOBA and the MIT LIFT Lab, analyzed primary survey data from microstore owners to identify key factors affecting their survival, such as poor inventory management, market instability, and a lack of reliable decision-making tools. In this context, we wondered: What if data could illuminate the path to greater business longevity? This study presents a transformative approach to nanostores’ sustainability, harnessing real-time market intelligence to empower business owners. Through an extensive field study, we developed a digital platform that unveils critical insights such as commercial density, business turnover rates, and logistics intensity, turning raw data into actionable strategies. Additionally, a survival rate calculator offers micro entrepreneurs tailored predictions based on location, industry type, and workforce size. These tools provide a new perspective on decision making, allowing businesses to anticipate market shifts, optimize operations, and unlock growth potential with confidence. By bridging the gap between data and daily business decisions, this research introduces a powerful shift from intuition to intelligence, from uncertainty to informed strategy, while the question is no longer whether micro businesses can thrive, but how data can make it possible.