Big Data technological tools and spatial data play a very important role in business by measuring footfall and helping to understand consumer behavior patterns in any given area of interest or point of sale.
In the first week of April 2021, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Guatemala were the countries in the region where the number of people visiting establishments identified as supermarkets was higher than the figures reported before the pandemic.
Over the course of the months and in the context of the reactivation of commercial activities, more Central American consumers have visited locations identified as supermarkets and pharmacies.
Finding out how many people live in the surroundings of the establishment, their income levels, their ages and their tastes and interests, is fundamental information to measure the potential of a supermarket's location.
Using the Geomarketing solutions we have developed for our clients, CentralAmericaData's Business Intelligence team analyzed the environment of some of the main supermarket locations operating in Central American countries. Below is an excerpt of the study's findings.
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.
Walmart has announced that in the remainder of the year it will be investing in 25 new stores of various formats and remodeling others in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
From a statement issued by Walmart Mexico and Central America:
Walmart Mexico and Central America will be investing during 2015 about $264.7 million in the construction and remodeling of stores in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
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. ).
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 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.
In 2010 the supermarket chain plans to open 30 business units in Central America.
Eduardo Solórzano, Wal-Mart’s new president and CEO for Latin America, explained that the investment plan comprises 26 discount stores, two warehouses and two supermarkets.
From Laprensa.com.ni: “Solórzano remarked that in addition to opening new stores, Wal-Mart will continue buying textile products from Nicaragua and Guatemala, and agricultural ones from Costa Rica, for example, to sell them in its stores in the United States and other countries”.
The supermarket chain plans to expand its presence in the Central American countries where it already operates and not to expand itself to new markets.
In the coming years, Wal-Mart Central America will open 50 locations distributed throughout Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. The new supermarkets will create some 8,000 jobs in the region.
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."