By Eliane Portillo

This investment, however, will be less than that the one conducted in 2011, when investment reached $3.6 billion dollars. In press conference, Vicente Yañez, President of the National Association of Shops, Supermarkets and Department Stores (ANTAD), explained that this year their estimates are more cautious because of factors such as international economic stagnation, the problems of national insecurity, unfair competition and illegal trade.

Supermarket chains are cautious in 2012 with respect to their investments in the country. For this year they plan to invest about $ 3.2 billion dollars, 56% of this amount will go to the opening of new stores. The remaining percentage shall apply to remodeling, systems and technology, logistics and distribution, among other items. Despite these reserves, the ANTAD expects revenue to grow 11%. 9.6% belong to supermarkets and 13% to department stores, as well as 13.5% to specialty stores.

But while the ANTAD shows cautious as a trade union, supermarket chains in particular rely on the future of consumption in Mexico. Corporate reports from the Controladora Comercial Mexicana, the third supermarket chain in the country, said their investments will amount $2.60 million pesos this year. This figure will serve mainly to open 13 new stores in the country, remodel eight and open five more in the form of co-investments.

While Chedraui, the fourth supermarket chain, said that it hoped to open 15 new stores in Mexico and the United States as part of its investment plans for 2012. The company expects to invest about 6% of its sales this year, a figure which could be around $3.8 billion pesos.

During 2011, the chain associated with the ANTAD reported a growth in sales of 10.1% in total units (including opening of stores) and 3.8% in comparable stores. The lines of merchandise that showed above-average growth were not edible groceries, stationery, meats and seafood.