Latin America News & Analysis

Quick commerce is becoming increasingly competitive in Latin America. The sector is currently dominated by local operators, including Rappi, Cornershop (recently acquired by Uber), and iFood. These businesses have profited from their local know-how, such as understanding consumption habits and knowledge of LatAm’s complex road networks, which is fundamental for logistics and delivery.   This y...

Walmex (Walmart Mexico) is the leading grocery retailer in Mexico, where it operates close to 2,700 stores. In November 2020, it launched its new Walmart Express supermarket banner and announced plans to convert all stores under its premium Superama banner to the new format, in addition to opening new stores. During the pandemic, shoppers have been seeking value and they increasingly wan...

Colombia-based retailer Grupo Éxito (part of the French retail group Casino), operates 84 stores under its premium supermarket banner Carulla. In August 2021, the business appointed Guillermo Matías Destefanis as Carulla’s new executive director. Destefanis previously managed the Devoto supermarket banner in Uruguay, which is also owned by Grupo Éxito. In recent interviews with Colombian ec...

In our 2021 sustainability trends report, which subscribers can access here , we highlighted four trends shaping the way retailers are approaching the topic. The trends include reducing plastic packaging, partnering to win, supporting communities and sustainable stores. Given the recent focus on reducing plastic packaging from many companies globally, in our packaging free the global opportu...

After announcing plans to launch a purchasing alliance , the partnership between Casino and Intermarché officially started on 1 September. The partnership starts ahead of the 2022 trade negotiations. Auxo to focus on range of solutions… As part of the alliance Casino and Intermarché will be purchasing goods together, but also developing digital services and producing private labels. The ...

Chilean startup Algramo, which translates to ‘by the gram’, was established in 2013. In its first years the business installed vending-style machines in neighbourhood supermarkets, which sold bulk products such as cleaning detergents and commodities like rice and beans. This unique initiative enabled customers to buy these products in bulk in reusable containers, saving them money on the cost of ...

With people spending more time at home because of the pandemic, Walmex (Walmart Mexico) responded by reprioritising its digital transformation, shifting its investment in to strengthening its omnichannel proposition. In early 2021 it announced its three strategic priorities for the year ahead, of which one was ‘leading in omnichannel’. Here we explore how this is progressing and how the launch ...

Since launching in 2009, discount retailer D1 has grown to become the third largest grocer in Colombia and the 10 th largest company overall. Despite stiff competition it has become the first discounter in Colombia to record a profit in a Fiscal year, reflecting the positive direction it is going in. Here we explore the reasons behind its success and how the pandemic has influenced change.   ...

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on grocery shopping habits in Brazil. Social distancing has led to people spending more time at home than ever before, creating a desire for hyperlocal convenience stores. This has led to a rise in autonomous store formats, which, over the last 18 months, have been opening close to homes and inside workplaces all over Brazil. Some were around pre-COVID, ho...

Latin America is one of the most advanced regions for quick commerce, which we define as groceries and essential products delivered in under one hour. In the last year we have seen the emergence of new pureplay businesses (e.g. JOKR, Getir, and Gorillas), and the launch of new ultra-fast delivery services from existing plyers (e.g. Rappi Turbo), which can fulfil deliveries in 10 or 15 minutes. ...