A. M. With the presence of government authorities, representatives of business chambers, and members of the diplomatic corps, senior executives from Walmart Mexico and Central America laid the cornerstone of what will be the new Walmart Santa Tecla, the starting point of the company’s ambitious investment plan in El Salvador.
Over the next five years, the company plans to invest US$264 million. This amount will be allocated primarily to store openings, renovations, sustainability projects, improvements to plants and distribution centers to strengthen its logistics network, and improved technology to consolidate its omnichannel strategy.
Cristina Ronski, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Walmart Central America, highlighted the commitment to the country. “We trust in El Salvador, which is why we are making this investment announcement, which will boost the economy, generate direct jobs, and expand business relationships with local suppliers, including agricultural producers and manufacturing SMEs. There is a lot of potential, a lot to do”.
The investments are projected to generate more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, most of them in the same communities where the new stores will open. Productive linkages will also be promoted, especially with small and medium-sized salvadoran suppliers.
Walmart Santa Tecla will generate more than 100 direct jobs and will be the seventh store in the Supercenter format and the 103rd in the country. It will have more than 200 parking spaces, a pickup area for online purchases, self-checkout stations, and the latest in sustainability: a solar panel system, electric vehicle charging stations, and refrigeration systems with CO2 technology, which generates zero greenhouse gas emissions. It will also have mercury-free LED lighting and water-efficient sanitary fixtures.
Ronski was clear that this commitment will be tangible in concrete projects. “We deliver what we say. The first stone of Walmart Santa Tecla is an example that we fulfill the commitments we make, and we will demonstrate this with the other store openings, renovations, and the remaining investments in technology, logistics, and sustainability,” she stated.
Omnichannel and Customer Solutions
The investment in El Salvador will also strengthen the company’s omnichannel strategy to provide all shopping options to its customers through its physical stores and digital platforms. Additionally, Walmart offers solutions that improve people’s quality of life, such as receiving and transferring remittances, paying for utilities, and making payment easier for items.
“We are 100% focused on helping salvadoran families save money and live better. We want to bring products, services, and solutions to more homes throughout El Salvador, especially those with fewer resources”, explained Ronski.
The expansion plan in El Salvador further enhances Walmart de México y Centroamérica’s contribution to national economic development. Currently, the company purchases more than US$1.3 billion annually from domestic suppliers, including products sold in the country and purchases made—through Walmart Inc.—through which it exports to other markets in Central America and around the world.
Walmart de México y Centroamérica operates 102 stores under four brands, generating employment for 4,700 people. The company has a robust infrastructure with three distribution centers and one plant and maintains a strong commitment to local development. Last year, it made purchases from 135 SMEs and agricultural producers for a total of US$1.3 billion, boosting the country’s economy and business network.
Walmart’s growth is accompanied by its commitment to becoming a regenerative company, which means operating under four strategic pillars: being a generator of opportunities for its associates and suppliers, especially for local small and medium-sized businesses; supporting communities, especially the most vulnerable; being a leader in sustainability to restore and preserve nature; and working with the highest standards of ethics and integrity.
