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."
In 2009, the company will expand the offer of products launched in November 2008, which reduced the price for more than 1,100 articles.
Elperiodico.com.gt reports: "Currently, the offer includes groceries, perishables, personal care products, from brand leaders as well as private brands from Paiz, Suli, Sabemas, and Supermax. They are also looking at expanding the range of products in the offer and the duration of the offer.
Starting January 2009, the corporate offices of Wal-Mart Central America will be set up in Costa Rica.
The Executive Committee of the company will have their headquarters and corporate offices in Costa Rica.
Since 2001, when the alliance between La Fragua Guatemala and the United Supermarkets Corporation of Costa Rica was made, the company has kept the corporate offices of both of the original companies while it continue to integrate them into one regional company.
Saving in electricity or increasing the number of private brands are some of the strategies that Wal-Mart Central America is pushing with the goal of reducing the cost of operation.
During an interview with the Prensa Libre, Manuel Zuniga, vice-president of Corporate Matters for Wal-Mart Central America, he spoke of how the consumption habits and loyalty of clients have changed under the new circumstances.
Wal-Mart Central America invited Small and Medium producers of consumer articles to the Rounds of Negotiation for the "A Hand to Grow" program.
The Round of Negotiation is a one day event in which appointments for negotiations between the producer and the Category Manager (buyer) for Wal-Mart Central America. The products that are accepted will be offered in designated pilot stores for a testing period of 90 days.
Sixteen Central American supermarket chains have formed an alliance to boost efficiency and fight regional competition led by Wal-Mart.
The alliance, known as Sucap, is still at the stage of defining the structure it will use for joint operations, said Guillermo Aguilar, managing director of Perimercados, one of four Costa Rican members.
Sucap leaders met recently in Panama to work out strategies, and evaluations are underway of the operations of member supermarkets. A group of executives from Salvadoran members of Sucap visited Costa Rica to study the fruit and vegetable distribution centers of Grupo Empresarial de Supermercados (GESSA).