Hardware Stores Change Their Income SourcesWednesday, January 6, 2021 Because several construction projects were stopped due to the pandemic, residential remodeling work became an important source of income for hardware stores competing in the Costa Rican market. The spread of covid-19 forced the Costa Rican authorities to impose restrictions on productive activities, one of which was construction, a sector that paralyzed several investments being made in 2020. Stores: Sales Expectations for the New YearTuesday, January 5, 2021 Although in Costa Rica during December 2020 most businesses increased their sales by about 10%, the expectations of the sector's entrepreneurs for the first quarter of 2021 are still uncertain. The year 2020 was marked by an economic crisis, which was generated by the outbreak of covid-19 at a global level. In this context, the Costa Rican commercial sector managed to oxygenate its finances with the end of the year celebrations.
MARKET STUDY
Palm Oil: $336 Million in Regional SalesFriday, January 15, 2021 From January to June 2020, exports from Central America of palm oil and its derivatives totaled $336 million, an amount barely 1% higher than that reported for the same period in 2019. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"] Bicycles: Growing Business in Costa RicaMonday, December 14, 2020 The restriction to vehicle circulation and the need to play sports during the quarantine decreed due to the covid-19 outbreak, are some of the factors that boosted the purchase of bicycles in the Costa Rican market. Figures from the National Customs Service of the Ministry of Finance show that between January and November 2019 and the same period in 2020, bicycle imports increased by 11%. Christmas Sales, Expectations and E-CommerceWednesday, December 9, 2020 Although sales are not expected to exceed those of the 2019 Christmas season, businesses expect revenues to be robust in the context of the pandemic, a situation that could be enhanced by the dynamism of digital channels. The spread of covid-19 generated an economic crisis, which for most of 2020 significantly affected the commercial sector. Despite the fact that in the context of the new business reality and changing consumer habits, commercial establishments are still in the process of adapting, there is optimism among businesspeople regarding end-of-year sales. Seasonal Sales with Good PerformanceTuesday, December 1, 2020 In the context of the economic crisis that Costa Rica is going through due to the pandemic, businessmen from the commercial sector reported that the "Black Friday" sales of 2020 were similar to those of 2019. Despite the drop in commercial activity generated by the covid-19 outbreak, executives of the Chamber of Commerce reported that sales reached an acceptable level, which can be explained, in part, by the commercial strategies applied by the establishments. Automobile Sales Drop 28% in PanamaThursday, February 12, 2009 At the January closing, the total sale of units was 3,044 while the figure was 4,241 during the same period in 2008. Laestrella.com.pa publishes: "Ricardo Pérez, S.A. sold 733 Toyota cars, which means that the sales decreased 43% compared to 2008, when in the same period they sold 1,297 units." Consumption: What is Expected at the End of 2020?Monday, November 30, 2020 Food, beverages, liquor, household and personal care items are the categories that are expected to drive the rise in consumption levels in Central America during the last month of the year. Despite the fact that 2020 has been a complex year for all business sectors, due to the covid-19 outbreak that generated a serious economic crisis in all Central American countries, sales are expected to increase considerably in December. New Virtual Mall in Costa RicaMonday, November 30, 2020 Lincoln Plaza began operating a virtual platform in which customers can purchase products that are sold in the physical stores that already operate in the property. EPK, Uno Sports, Claire's, Totto, Xiami, Miniso, TOYS, Liberia Internacional, Opticas Munkel, Aldo Nero, Ibiza and GNC, are some of the stores that will offer their products through the new digital platform. Price Management: Lessons from 2020Wednesday, December 23, 2020 Taking advantage of shortages to sell at high prices and visualizing the benefits to companies of strategies that demonstrate social empathy in difficult times are some of the lessons learned during 2020, which was highlighted by the health and economic crisis. The spread of covid-19 suddenly transformed the global business landscape. Ariel Banos, founder of Fijaciondeprecios.com, has identified five lessons that companies learned in terms of price management, in this context of changing commercial reality. Restaurants: Strategies for the New YearTuesday, December 22, 2020 Betting on sales through digital channels, offering dishes at more accessible prices and carrying out promotions are some of the strategies that some casual dining restaurants that compete in the Costa Rican market seek to apply. The spread of covid-19 severely affected the restaurant sector, especially businesses that did not sell through digital channels or did not have options to deliver their products to their homes. How was the Coffee Market Transformed in 2020?Tuesday, December 22, 2020 Changes in the points of consumption, increased sales through electronic channels, and more direct relationships between producers and roasters are some of the transformations reported in the coffee market at the regional and global level. Changes in consumer habits, which were caused by the outbreak of covid-19 and the imposition of severe quarantines, ended up transforming several markets, including the coffee market. Furniture and Home: Rise in DemandFriday, November 13, 2020 Since people are staying at home more because of changing consumer habits, Guatemalan entrepreneurs say that kitchen furniture, pergolas and other household items have been in the greatest demand. Because of the economic crisis that resulted from the covid-19 outbreak, sales goals will not be met this year. Prior to the start of the pandemic, Guatemalan entrepreneurs in the sector estimated that by 2020 the amount of furniture and wood products sold would be $210 million, but in the current context, they forecast that the figure will be reduced to $160 million. How to Reach Centennials?Thursday, December 17, 2020 Because more than half of consumers born between 1996 and 2012, known as "Generation Z" or "Centennials", are immune to traditional advertising and television, brands and companies should focus on communicating with this group through digital channels, such as social networks and influencers. Positioning a brand, product or service is currently a challenge for advertising agencies and companies, as they must overcome the challenge of communicating effectively with younger consumers. Vehicle Loans: Lower Demand in NicaraguaWednesday, November 18, 2020 In this scenario of economic crisis, the Nicaraguan market reported a 25% decrease in the balance of the vehicle loan portfolio between December 2019 and September 2020. Data from the Superintendence of Banks and Other Financial Institutions (Siboif) detail that at the end of last year the balance of the loan portfolio requested to buy a vehicle amounted to $199 million, but in this context of falling productive activity generated by the outbreak of covid-19, the balance recorded as of September 2020 fell to $149 million. |
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