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.
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.
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.
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.
The supermarket chain has submitted an environmental impact study for the construction of a store in zone 12 in Guatemala City.
The supermarket chain presented the study to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Guatemala (MARN), the entity which must grant approval to the company for the construction of a store called "Walmart Atanasio Tzul" on Avenida del Ferrocarril 17 - 13, Zone 12 of Guatemala City.
At two months time the chain will open two new stores, adding about 12 thousand square meters of retail space.
According to an article in Elmundo.com.sv, Claudia Ibanez, manager of corporate affairs for Walmart, said: "The shops will be located in Colonia Escalon and Mejicanos, having an investment of $25 million each."
"... The branch in Colonia Escalon will open this Friday September 20th and is located on Alameda Manuel Enrique Araujo, where there used to be another hypermarket. "
In Costa Rica the Gessa chain wants to continue to expand its operations and in order to do so is evaluating potential partnerships with investors.
Elfinancierocr.com reports that " Grupo Empresarial de Supermercados (Gessa)-owner of the chains, Jumbo Supercompro, Perimercados, Saretto and Turribásicos- is evaluating the possibility of linking up with a strategic partner in the region to enable them to grow and strengthen its operations in the country. "
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.
The Superintendence of Competition in El Salvador has ruled that the transaction does not classify as monopolistic concentration.
Europa SA, the third largest supermarket chain in El Salvador after Walmart and the Guatemalan Hiper Paiz, had closed the store last week, which was ranked as Central America's largest when opened in 1998.
Elsalvador.com reports that "the transaction does not involve the purchase of shares, transfer of licenses, representations or branding of the stores, said the SC. The process does not represent a commitment to a transfer of the business enterprise, labor liabilities, furniture and equipment, or accounts payable or receivable. The object of the promise of sale transaction "is solely the property."