Planet Retail 29 Jul 2008

In Brazil, Casino-owned CBD has announced the development of a tracking programme that will monitor, from the crop to the store, all production of perishables sold at the company's almost 600 stores. In the last two years, the group has already invested BRL3 million (USD1.85 million) in the programme, including software development and supplier validation processes.

May 2, 2008

El sector privado cubre el vacío de los gobiernos al incorporar en la economía declarada a 360 millones de pobres de la región en calidad de productores y consumidores.

Una encuesta realizada en más de 500 empresas importantes de América Latina y el Caribe, que se ha publicado hoy durante la Reunión Anual del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo celebrada en Miami, ha revelado que casi la mitad de dichas empresas participa en iniciativas empresariales destinadas a incorporar a los ciudadanos más desfavorecidos del continente en la economía formal.

Planet Retail 11 Mar 2008

The global relief and development organization Mercy Corps, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Wal-Mart and the Guatemalan non-profit Fundación ÁGIL (Fundación Apoyo a la Generación de Ingresos Locales) have launched an alliance to improve the lives of small-scale farmers in Guatemala. The Alliance, a three-year effort, will build the capacity of small-scale farmers to help them move from traditional corn and beans production to demand-driven production to supply major retailers like Wal-Mart in Central America.

Planet Retail 12 Feb 2008

Wal-Mart Costa Rica has implemented a traceability initiative for its meat ranges, enabling the retailer to track all products from slaughter to shelf.

Planet Retail 12 Feb 2008

With the help of the Ministry of Economy and CONAMYPE (an institution that contributes to the development of smaller companies in El Salvador), Wal-Mart Centroamerica has provided an opportunity for small manufacturers and producers in El Salvador the opportunity to sell their products in a variety of stores run by Wal-Mart Centroamerica, such as Despensas Familiares, Despensas de Don Juan and Hiper Paiz. Wal-Mart recently launched the ‘Una Mano para Crecer' (‘Help to Grow') programme. Claudia Ibañez, corporate affairs spokesperson at Wal-Mart Centroamerica, said: "the company wishes to continue supporting the relationship with its suppliers, small producers and manufacturers."

Planet Retail 17 Dec 07

Chilean retailer Cencosud yesterday announced that it had agreed to acquire the supermarket and shopping centre operations of Peruvian retailer Wong for a transaction including stock valued at USD500 million. Wong is the largest retailer in Peru. The retailer operates around 50 stores in the country, including hypermarkets, superstores, supermarkets and non-food discount stores. The company has also an internet service.

Planet Retail 21 November 2007

According to sources in Mexico, the country's anti-trust commission has authorised Chielan retailer Cencosud to bid for local retailer Gigante. The latter said earlier this month that it is considering strategic options including asset sales, mergers, and alliances. There are also unconfirmed reports that Mexico's largest retailer Walmex has withdrawn its request for authorisation to acquire all or parts of Gigante.

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.

Planet Retail 20 September 2007

According to unconfirmed reports in the Latin American press, Wal-Mart is to expand its operations in Honduras, opening 12 new stores. Six will open by the end of this year and the remaining six in 2008. The retailer operates hypermarkets, supermarkets and discount stores in the country.

Speaking at the end of last week, the chief executive of Wal-Mart Brazil, Vincent Trius, said that the retailer intends to invest BRL400 million (USD206.6 million) in opening new stores in the northeast of the country this year, generating 2,500 jobs.