Walmart launched a new distribution center for vegetables, fruits, vegetables and grains in Coris, Cartago.
The company reported that the new distribution center has the capacity to serve 140 agricultural producers per day, is located on a 150,000 m2 lot and the construction area is 24.000 m2.
Negotiations are being promoted with the US chain for the installation of a distribution center for Latin America in the Colon Free Zone.
Editorial
Panama reserves supermarket operations for local companies, so there could be confusion over the news report from Prensa.com, which states that "... Through a letter signed by Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, a group of businessmen, headed by the general manager of the Colon Free Zone (CFZ), Surse Pierpoint- are seeking to attract the attention of executives at Walmart US to install a distribution center for Latin America in Panama ", indicating the Colon Free Zone (CFZ) as 'the right place'."
An average of 20% annual increase in sales has been reported by companies specializing in the distribution of food and beverages in bulk.
The market of wholesale supermarkets in Costa Rica continues to grow, mainly driven by the opening in recent years of convenience stores, bakeries, 'sodas' (small low end restaurants), restaurants and hotels. Some establishments have reported an average annual growth of 20% in sales.
The supermarket chain Riba Smith will expand the food technology industrial park to produce and distribute all kinds of goods from there.
This is the first private company that is backing a logistics center of this kind and size in the country. The industrial park could be in full swing in April 2014 and is located in the town of La Pita in the border area between La Chorrera and Capira.
After an investment of $70 million, Walmart has opened a 52,000 square meter distribution center in Costa Rica.
"The building has an area of 52,000 m² and its surface area is equivalent to 67 football fields according to the company, and is located in the industrial complex in Coyol in Alajuela", reported Nacion.com.
According to Julio Quevedo, vice president of logistics at Walmart, Mexico and Central America, the CEDI was planned taking into account the expected growth in the chain in Costa Rica over the next five years, though he could not reveal the figures as the the company is quoted on the Stock Exchange.
In Costa Rica, Megasuper, Walmart and AutoMercado are preparing to open more stores in the capital and surrounding areas.
Megasuper is to open three new stores in the capital with an investment of $30 million and the creation of 100 new jobs, said Walter Vega, general manager of the company.
Meanwhile, Walmart plans to invest $67 million in a new distribution center in Coyol, Alajuela, said Yolanda Fernandez, manager of corporate affairs for the firm, reported Nacion.com. This is added to the $5 million that went on the opening of the 28th branch of Mas x Menos in the country, in the canton of La Union.
With an investment of $40 million the supermarket chain will open 12 new supermarkets and a supply center in Nejapa in the next two years.
The opening of store number 84, which will be 1400 meters in size, in San Salvador’s Metrocentro, marks the beginning of the expansion by the Calleja Group who owns the supermarket chain.
Elmundo.com.sv reported statements by Carlos Calleja, vice president of Grupo Calleja on the occasion of the inauguration, "We are already working on the collection center in Nejapa, which we've used as a first step, while we build further facilities."
The supermarket chain plans to open seven new stores in 2011.
With the openings the chain will reach ninety stores and 6.000 employees.
Carlos Calleja, vice president of Calleja Group, owner of the supermarket chain, said the new stores will be located in rural areas of the country where Super Selectos still does not have a presence."
"Another project in the agenda is the construction of a storage facility for perishable goods in Nejapa" reports Laprensagrafica.com. "Last year, Super Selectos signed an alliance with producers in the north of the country to purchase directly from them vegetables and fruits."