Boom in Convenience Stores

In the last five years in Costa Rica the number of these types of outlets has increased by over 30%, and companies in the sector project continued growth in the medium term.

Friday, August 5, 2016

Sales at the 141 convenience stores operating in the country, according to figures from Euromonitor as reported by Nacion.com, have also grown significantly in the last 5 years, going from $44 million in 2010 to $178 million in 2015.

Johnny Campos, general manager of Gessa, which operates the Dia Express brand, commented, "... 'We have been focussing these months on learning the business of convenience stores. This (the one in Tibás) is our pilot store, where we are aiming to adapt it to the needs of this customer segment and from here we plan to expand this format in other areas with a high influx of people, for 2017'".

A representative of Circle K, another brand of convenience stores operating in the country, explained that   "... In a year five stores have been opened in San José, Alajuela and Cartago. The company plans to open new outlets before the end of the year, however, details have not yet been provided."

The Corporation AM-PM, which manages the AM-PM and Fresh Market stores plans to open six new stores in the remainder of the year, leaving it with 78 outlets at the end of 2016.

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