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.
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.
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.
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.
With an investment of $9 million, the retail multinational has opened a new supermarket in its Mas x Menos brand.
Located in San Antonio de Belén, the new site has an area of 9677 square meters, and 199 parking spaces.
"This inauguration is part of Walmart's growth plans for 2011, which anticipate an eventual investment of $160 million", states an article on Elfinancierocr.com.
The retail multinational has announced the opening of 24 new stores during 2011.
Alberto Ebrard, executive vice-president for Walmart in Mexico and Central America, added that the company will also be remodeling its Hipermas supermarkets to be rebranded as Walmart, as well as the opening of several distribution centers.
"Ebrard staed that the new stores will be located in various regions of the country but did not give details of the precise places," according to Nacion.com.
The multinational retail company announced they will invest 45% more in 2011 in Central America and Mexico compared to 2010.
The planned investment for 2011 is $ 1.560 million, 45% higher than the $ 1.077 million in 2010, said the president of Wal-Mart Mexico and Central America.
The multinational plans to open 445 new stores, of which 365 will be in Mexico and the rest in Central America.
Automercado, Walmart and Gessa are expected to open 18 new supermarkets in 2010, worth a combined investment of $20 million.
Walmart will add ten new locations to its network, using its Pali and Maxi Bodega Brands, while Automercado will open two and Gessa six under its Perimercados and Super Compro brands.
Once ready, Costa Rica will have a grand total of 323 supermarkets, out of which 170 will be owned by Walmart, 82 by Megasuper, 58 by Gessa and 13 by Automercado, reported Nacion.com.
WalMart Central America will open 11 new stores in Costa Rica in 2010.
Marcos Samaha, president and CEO, explained that seven of them will operate under the 'Palí' brand, three under 'Mas X Menos' and one 'Maxi Bodega'.
"500 direct jobs will be created by these stores, which will be added to the total 9.200 employees the company has in Costa Rica. WalMart operates 4 brands in the country: Palí, Más x Menos, Hipermás y Maxi Bodega", reports Nacion.com.
Under the "Pali" brand, Wal-Mart inaugurated supermarkets in Coto Brus, Puerto Viejo de Limón and Nandayure, Guanacaste.
With these three new stores opened in June, Wal-Mart now has 127 "Pali" stores in Costa Rica.
From La Prensa Libre´s website: "Each now opening generates direct jobs in the communities,... These three new stores will have convenience products, apparel, groceries, butcher's shop, as well as personal care and general merchandise".
The supermarket chain is plannning to open 22 stores during 2009 in Central America, generating about 1,000 job openings.
The press release published by Siglo 21 on its website states: "In a year when the region's economic environment is showing itself to be extremely challenging, this level of growth and investment demonstrates the company's commitment to the welfare of Central American families, with a greater operating efficiency that will allow it to continue offering the lowest prices to its customers."