In Costa Rica about 30% of supermarkets are in San Jose, Guatemala, the metropolitan area concentrates 45% of establishments, while in Panama, 32% are in West Panama.
An analysis of the Trade Intelligence area of CentralAmericaData provides interesting results on where they are located, who they are, if they operate independently or if they belong to a chain or business group.
The president of one of the largest supermarket chains in Costa Rica speaks about investments and the bureaucratic obstacles the sector has to deal with.
An article on Nacion.com contains quotes by Guillermo Alonso, president of Auto Mercado, who announced the investments to be made by the company in the coming years, noting that "... The truth is that we would like to go faster, but the block is the government and red tape that has left the company's growth plans stranded."
The chain of wholesale supermarkets Mayca has started operations in a new facility in the capital and is preparing for the opening of another one in Ciudad Quesada, outside the Greater Metropolitan Area.
The newly opened self-service store measures 432 square meters and is situated opposite the National Children's Hospital in San Jose. In relation to the store in Ciudad Quesada, San Carlos, there is still no definite date for its opening.
The Calleja Group has said it will invest $60 million in new supermarkets branches and a meat processing plant.
The company expects to grow by 5% in 2014, and to achieve this, it plans to invest $30 million this year and another $30 million in 2015 in the opening of eight new stores and an industrial meat processing plant.
Carlos Calleja, Vice President of the group, stated that "among the Calleja Group's projects is the construction of an industrial plant for processing meat, which will cost more than $10 million. The work will take place in Nejapa, department of San Salvador. For now it is still in the stage of obtaining permits from the authorities, but after the second semester work will begin. "
Three stores are part of proposed investment of $40 million, which also includes agricultural production and materials for farming basic grains.
The first sales area for Alba Supermarkets will open in two months and will be located in an annex of the gas station in the town of Quelepa, San Miguel. There "... the company will sell basic grain produce along with groceries, meat and staples of various domestic and foreign brands at different prices", reported Elsalvador.com.
Ongoing and projected investments indicate that there is still room for small and medium enterprises.
Small and medium sized supermarket chains are expanding in the greater metropolitan area.
One example is Super Mora, a mini chain of supermarkets from Puriscal which in 2014 will be expanding into Santa Ana, where there are plans to invest $3.7 million in the construction of a 7000 m² square which will include a main supermarket, commercial stores and parking areas. Super Mora is known to be competing with Auto Mercado, which recently opened a 2,600 m² store in Escazu.
Considering the advantages offered by the Trade Promotion Agreement, U.S. retail chains are evaluating the possibility of setting up operations in the canal country.
Among the factors attracting the attention of these companies are the presence a large number of American and Canadian retirees in the country, economic growth and the benefits of the Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) in force with the United States (U.S. ).
The recent adoption of legislation necessary for the entry into force of the TPA with the U.S. includes opening the gates for the installation of large retailers.
Panama's Constitution expressly reserves retail trade for Panamanians, because of this, the method found to align themselves with agreements made for the Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) with the United States, was to modify the rules for companies involved in wholesale trade, introducing the classification of "multi-service businesses."
There has been increased business and new locations opening up, for products and services related to health and personal care.
In Costa Rica, the company Locatel, founded on capital from Colombia, Venezuela and Costa Rica has invested around $3 million in opening its first outlet in the Momentum Pinares Mall in Curridabat.
The company will offer the public medical equipment, hygiene and beauty products, nutritional products, and health services.
With an investment of $6.8 million the multinational retailer will open a second store under the Maxi Despensa format in July.
In a 1,600 square meter area the works being carried out are now 70% complete.
"In terms of employment opportunities, on Monday June 4, Walmart held a job fair attended by about 3,000 people from Santa Ana, from these around 60 will be recruited for middle management positions, administration and operational areas as such as cashiers, sales, warehouse staff and others.
Certain chains are drowning out competition by making huge investments in opening new stores or by buying up other businesses in Costa Rica.
Gessa - owner of Peri, Jumbo, and Supercompro- announced this week its acquisition of Saretto supermarket, located in Escazu. The goal: to break into the premium products segment (gourmet imported), Saretto’s strong point, Guillermo Aguilar, general manager of the corporation, said to Nacion.com.
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.
The Mexican and Central America division of the retail giant plans to invest almost $1.5 billion in the six countries of their jurisdiction, adding over 400 stores to the chain.
Mexican and Central America Walmart has with ambitious plans for 2012. With an investment of $1.4 billion, it aims to open 410 to 436 new stores in its geographical area of coverage (6 countries), generating 25,000 direct jobs and 52,000 indirect ones via building construction. The giant aims to increase its sales by 12% in Mexico and 9% in the 5 Central American countries.
The Automercado chain has announced the opening of four new stores this year and next.
Once permits have been obtained from the municipality of Santo Domingo de Heredia, construction of one of the new supermarkets will begin, said the chain's vice president Diego Alonso.
For 2013 plans include the construction of another store in the adjoining district of Alajuela in Guácima Hacienda Los Reyes.
With an investment of $4 million, the multinational has opened its first retail store under the 'Maxi Despensa' brand.
Located in San Marcos, the new facility has created approximately 40 jobs, and has 1,200 square feet and a parking area for 76 vehicles.
Walmart also announced that this month it is opening a ‘Despensa Familiar’ in Olocuilta, La Paz. This store will cost one million dollars and will generate 20 jobs.