WAL-MART Costa Rica supports SMEs

Planet Retail 29 Oct 07

Wal-Mart Costa Rica, supported by the municipalities of Heredia, Barva and Flores and the Ministry of Economy, has launched the first round of its business programme for the strengthening of small and medium enterprises. The scheme will see over 100 locally produced products distributed to around 20 Wal-Mart stores in Costa Rica before rolling successful lines out nationally after a trial period.

The products - including grocery, perishables, health & beauty, general merchandise and clothing - will be sold over a trial period of 45 days. Customers will provide feedback on the products and those with the best potential will be integrated into the regular assortment in the stores. Javier Sibaja, Country manager for Wal-Mart Costa Rica, explained that the "programme gives opportunity for producers and manufacturers to enhance their productivity and the quality of their products, for an increasingly competitive and demanding market." Yolanda Fernandez, managing director of Corporate Affairs for Wal-Mart Costa Rica, said that with this programme, Wal-Mart Central America intended to tailor its assortment to tastes and preferences of customers in each locality where it operates.

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