In the region, it is estimated that more than 4 million people show interest in the digital environment for supermarkets, being Walmart, Pricesmart, Paiz, La Torre, La Colonia and Super Selectos, some of the chains that have better positioned in the minds of consumers.
An analysis of the interests and preferences of consumers in Central America, prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, gives interesting results on the preferences and tastes of people in various products, services, store chains, brands and activities.
Ensuring customer supply, adjusting protocols to maintain store operations and supporting suppliers with more frequent payments are all part of the strategies supermarkets are applying in this new business environment.
Maintaining store operations in this scenario of health crisis and the spread of covid-19 is a real challenge for supermarkets in Central America.
The Walmart supermarket chain plans to expand and remodel its distribution center located in the municipality of Villa Nueva, department of Guatemala.
According to the interactive platform "Construction in Central America" of the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, Operadora de Tiendas S.A., submitted to the Ministry of Environment the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to develop the project called, "Distribution Center of Guatemala."
In April, the Walmart chain invested nearly $8.5 million in the construction and opening of four new stores in Costa Rica.
The company reported that three sales points operate under the Pali format and are located in Ipis de Goicoechea, Guayabo de Bagaces and Dulce Nombre de Cartago. The other establishment operates under the brand Maxi Pali and is located in Los Guido, Desamparados.
The Walmart chain is investing in the construction of a new supermarket in Santa Ana, El Salvador, which will have a sales hall of 4,600 square meters.
According to information revealed by the company's directors, the new sales point, which is being built on a 15,000-square-meter site, will have a parking lot with capacity for 149 vehicles.
The supermarket chain accuses the Ministry of Economy of Costa Rica of not carrying out adequate controls to avoid the practice of selling rice with another product added as a gift, known as bandeo.
The practice reported by the supermarket chain before the Contentious-Administrative Court on June 20, in which the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) is accused of not controlling it, is known as "bandeo" and is prohibited by a decree that has been in force since April 4, 2017.
Walmart plans to invest $48 million in Guatemala during 2019, of which $25 million will be used to open new stores and remodel existing ones.
According to information provided by representatives of Walmart, the investment projected for this year in the country will double that invested in 2018, since last year the amount disbursed totaled $24 million.
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.
Arguing that there are risks that the economic agent will affect market prices, in Costa Rica the Commission for the Promotion of Competition denied Walmart the request to purchase the supermarket group Gessa.
Representatives of the Commission for the Promotion of Competition (Coprocom) informed that the decision was taken unanimously on December 4th and the parties were notified the following day.
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.
Reports show that between January and August this year the number of private drugstores in Costa Rica grew from 1,102 to 1,166, and the main participants say the market is still not saturated.
Figures from the College of Pharmacists indicate that between February 2 and August 7"... independent pharmacies grew from 751 to 771, while those belonging to chains increased from 387 to 395 points." The pharmacy business is still growing in the country, where recent acquisitions and changeswhich have taken placein recent monthspoint to this market still having growth potential.
In Costa Rica, the Supreme Court has rejected an appeal of unconstitutionality against the prohibition imposed by the government on carrying out promotions in the rice retail trade.
The argument put forward by the magistrates when rejecting the appeal of unconstitutionality filed by Corporación de Supermercados Unidos (Walmart) was based on the fact that"...
New stores, remodeling and a distribution center are what Walmart plans to develop in the next two years in the country, with an estimated investment of $200 million.
María Marta Rodríguez, coordinator of Corporate Affairs at Walmart, explained to Elnuevodiario.com.ni that they plan to open four new stores this year requiring an investment of $106 million, and in 2018 another $100 million is planned to be invested.
Plans are being made to build a 15 thousand square meter supermarket under the Walmart brand in Ciudad Quesada, Alajuela.
Data from CentralAmericaData's Interactive System "Central American Construction Projects" compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit shows that Corporación Supermercados Unidos S.A.
Increased competition and rising production costs are causing firms in the sector to revive their production processes with new plants, equipment and electrical systems.
The three companies which dominate 92% of the market for chicken meat and its derivatives are making significant investments to modernize their production processes in an increasingly competitive world where consumption has maintained a steady upward trend.