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Did sales really grow? A retailer in Argentina

You run the case. Read the prompt, answer questions from the notes below, and share data only when the candidate asks for it or gets stuck. Score at the end.

Case timer

00:00

Target length:

1. Read the prompt aloud

Read it slowly, then pause. Let the candidate ask questions before they structure.

A fictional clothing retailer in Argentina reports that its peso sales rose 30 percent in 2025 and asks whether that was a good year. The IMF puts Argentina's average consumer price inflation for 2025 at 41.9 percent. Was it a good year in real terms?

2. Answers to clarifying questions

This case has no scripted clarifying answers. Answer from the prompt, and say "assume what you think is reasonable" if the prompt does not cover it.

3. A model structure

Compare the candidate's structure with this one. A different split can be just as good if it is clean and fits the problem.

Real growth = (1 + nominal growth) / (1 + inflation) minus 1
- Nominal growth: 30 percent (the client's number)
- Inflation: 41.9 percent (IMF, 2025 average)
- Key: Real growth, exact formula
- Compare with the shortcut, and with the market

4. The working, step by step

Each step shows how a strong candidate works it out. Share a new fact from it only when the candidate asks or is stuck, and let them do the math: the result in the dark box is what they should reach.

Step 1: Real growth, exact formula
What a strong candidate does: 1.30 divided by 1.419, minus 1.
Real sales growth (percent): (1.3 ÷ 1.419 - 1) × 100 = -8.39
Step 2: The shortcut
What a strong candidate does: Nominal growth minus inflation. With inflation this high it overstates the fall.
Shortcut estimate (percent): 30 - 41.9 = -11.9

The recommendation to listen for

At the end, say: "The CEO walks in. What is your recommendation?"

No. Sales rose 30 percent in pesos, but prices rose about 41.9 percent on average, so in real terms the retailer sold about 8.4 percent less than a year earlier. It lost ground. The next step is to compare it with the market: if clothing volumes across Argentina fell more, it may still have gained share. With inflation this high, always use the exact formula; the shortcut says minus 11.9 percent, which is more than 3 points off.

Risks a strong answer names: The IMF figure is an average for all consumer prices; clothing prices may have risen faster or slower than the average.; The 30 percent is fictional; a real case would give the client's own number..

Score the candidate

Score each criterion from 1 to 5. A 2 or a 4 sits between the descriptions.

This case has no exhibit. Score Exhibit reading on how the candidate used the data you gave them: did they pick out the number that matters and say what it means?

Structuring

1: No clear structure, or a memorized framework that does not fit the problem.
3: A sensible structure, but with some overlap, a gap, or no clear priority.
5: A structure built for this problem, with no overlap and no gaps, a stated hypothesis, and a clear first step.

Math

1: Frequent errors, no units, or needed heavy help to finish.
3: Right answers but slow or messy working, or one error caught late.
5: Accurate and clearly narrated, with units, a sense check, and what the number means.

Exhibit reading

1: Read the chart aloud without finding the number that matters.
3: Found the key number but gave only part of the so-what.
5: Pulled the right number quickly and said what it means for the case.

Synthesis

1: Summarized what was done, with no clear answer.
3: Gave an answer, but with weak reasons or no next step.
5: Answer first, then two or three reasons with numbers, the main risk, and next steps.

Communication

1: Hard to follow: long silences, no signposting.
3: Clear most of the time, with some rambling.
5: Calm and concise, signposted each step, and checked in with the interviewer.

Total

0 out of 25

Score all five criteria to see the band and the feedback template.