Cervecería Centroamericana S.A.
INOR
Realidad Turística
Servicios Médicos Cubanos
Herbalife
AVA Resorts
Grupo Hotelero Islazul
blackanddecker
Instituto Hondureño de Turismo
Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso de Cuba
Cubasol
Barceló Solymar
Irtra
Tigo
Los Portales
Agexport
Intecap
MAD-HAV Enjoy Travel Group
Nestle
Walmart
CUN-HAV Enjoy Travel Group

Walmart Eyes Guatemala, Costa Rica

Date:

Share:

Servicios Médicos Cubanos
Grupo Hotelero Islazul
INOR
Intecap
Los Portales
Instituto Hondureño de Turismo
Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso de Cuba
Realidad Turística
blackanddecker
Cervecería Centroamericana S.A.
Herbalife
Nestle
Irtra
AVA Resorts

Central America’s burgeoning population is proving an attractive target for Walmart, which announced its plans to invest $1.3 billion in Guatemala and Costa Rica in the next five years.

Cristina Ronski, who heads up the giant retailer’s Central American division, told Reuters the company plans to invest $700 million in Guatemala alone, just days after Walmart announced a $600 million investment in Costa Rica.

“Walmart plans to add more in-store services, including facilities for sending and receiving remittances – a major component of many Central American economies.”

The plans call for new stores and increased logistics capabilities, including a distribution center for perishables in Costa Rica.

“It’s clear these countries are primed for growth right now,” Finn Wheatley, financial expert and risk analyst at The Small Business Blog,” told The Food Institute.

“When economies pick up steam, more people end up with jobs and extra cash to spend. And that means potential for stores to sell more goods and services.”

Guatemala is Central America’s most populous country, at 18.3 million, and has the highest fertility rate in all of Latin America. Costa Rica’s population is 5.2 million.

“Guatemala showed nearly 3.4% growth last year. Costa Rica surged even higher at 4.9%,” Wheatley noted. “Nearby markets also showed solid gains around 3.3-3.4%. To me, those numbers signal a real chance for companies to succeed by joining in on the spending uptick in hands-on ways like opening new locations.”

Both Guatemala and Costa Rica enjoy a political stability lacking in some other countries in the region, making them attractive foreign investment targets.

“Walmart may concentrate on establishing a firm presence by first making significant, calculated investments with relatively reduced risk in Guatemala and Costa Rica,” said Andhi Ermawan, a tech expert, professional product tester and founder of MyProsAndCons.com.

“Then, a future route might become available to meet comparable retail needs over the whole area. It’s a methodical, phased strategy that weighs the pros and cons.”

Walmart has been moving into Mexico and Central America for years and by last year had 896 stores. In fiscal 2024, Walmart International reported $49.7 billion in sales in the region, Statista reported. (https://foodinstitute.com/focus/walmart-eyes-guatemala-costa-rica/)

CUN-HAV Enjoy Travel Group
Cervecería Centroamericana S.A.
Nestle
Herbalife
Instituto Hondureño de Turismo
Walmart
Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso de Cuba
INOR
Barceló Solymar
Irtra
Servicios Médicos Cubanos
Agexport
Los Portales
Grupo Hotelero Islazul
Cubasol
MAD-HAV Enjoy Travel Group
Intecap
Tigo
Realidad Turística
AVA Resorts
blackanddecker
Revista Colombiana de Turismo Passport
Hotel Holiday Inn Guatemala
Cubacel
Barcelo Guatemala City
Tigo
Havanatur
Intecap
Irtra
Hotel Barcelo Solymar
Vuelos a Cuba
AirEuropa
Maggi - GLUTEN-FREE

Subscribe to our magazine

━ more like this

Pole Dancing in Israel: A New Dimension with BlueDance.co.il

In recent years, pole dancing has experienced a remarkable transformation, shifting from a misunderstood niche to a popular activity combining fitness, self-expression, and empowerment....

This North East African Country Welcomes Over 15.7 Million Tourists Last Year and An Addition 40,000 New Hotel Rooms are in Pipeline

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes In a year marked by global uncertainties and regional geopolitical challenges, Egypt’s tourism sector achieved an impressive milestone, welcoming a...

A New Luxury Hotel Just Opened on An Idyllic Beach in Cancun, Mexico — And We Were the First to Stay

Waldorf Astoria Cancun opened to the public on Nov. 1, the brand's first new build in Mexico, with two waterfront pools and a fantastic...

Pan American Health Organization Launches Interactive Dashboard on Avian Influenza in The Americas

To monitor cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) launched an interactive dashboard on the web...

Nicaragua Presents Its New Interoceanic Canal Route to China and Seeks to Compete with Panama

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes With a length of 445 kilometers, in a second attempt, the Nicaraguan president, Daniel Ortega, presents China with a new...
Hotel Barcelo Solymar
Revista Colombiana de Turismo Passport
Barcelo Guatemala City
Intecap
Havanatur
Irtra
Cubacel
Vuelos a Cuba
Hotel Holiday Inn Guatemala
Maggi - GLUTEN-FREE
AirEuropa

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Intecap
Instituto Hondureño de Turismo
Grupo Hotelero Islazul
Realidad Turística
INOR
Los Portales
Nestle
Irtra
Agexport
Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso de Cuba
MAD-HAV Enjoy Travel Group
Servicios Médicos Cubanos
AVA Resorts
Cubasol
Herbalife
Barceló Solymar
Walmart
Cervecería Centroamericana S.A.
Tigo
blackanddecker