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. ).
In Costa Rica the Auto Mercado supermarket chain has announced the opening of 18 "Vindi" convenience stores before the end of 2013.
The company opened its first store in San Joaquin de Flores, Heredia and the second opening is scheduled for next week in Santa Anta, Lindora.
"Guillermo Alonso, project manager of the company, told ElFinancierocr.com that at the end the year there will be six Vindi branches in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM).
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.
In Costa Rica the small open-all-hours convenience store format is booming, with the entry of new players to the market.
The chain Automercados is to open convenience stores in a format which as yet is not known, although the company is currently building a dozen stores in several malls.
Diego Alonso, commercial vice president of Automercado told Elfinancierocr.com that more would be revealed about the topic in the coming days.
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 $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.
Wallmart and Megasuper corporation are betting on gaining convenience store customer's with the opening of stores of no more than 200 square meters.
Megasuper has operated since last September an outlet in San Francisco de Tres Rios, San Jose, which is only 250 square meters, compared to the traditional format of 1,000 square meters.
Commercial Vice President Walter Vega of Megasuper Corporation told Nacion.com that this new format would compete with traditional grocery stores and convenience stores.
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.