Country Comparison Report for Cencosud
Company Overview
As one of the largest retail companies in South America and the largest in Chile, Cencosud has transformed itself from a self-service supermarket back in 1962 to a multi-format retailer with 1009 stores across Latin America today. It operates through different store formats including supermarkets (Jumbo), home improvements (Easy), shopping centers (Santa Isabel), financial services (Costanera Center) and department stores (Paris). Today, it’s also the most profitable retailer in Latin America with a leading presence across the major markets in South America including Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Continuously, it seeks as it says its mission "to be the most profitable and prestigious retailer in Latin America, based on excellence in our quality of service, respect for the communities we live and the commitment of our team of collaborators with the basic tenets of our company's vision, challenge, entrepreneurship and perseverance ". Looking back at the history of the company, started in Chile by the Chilean-German businessman Horst Paulmann, the company’s origin was a small self-service deli. Expansion started in 1970s with the innovative idea of becoming “hypermarkets”. The process of internationalization started in 1982 with the opening of the hypermarket “Jumbo” in Argentina. The company stood itself out with its focus on its core values: diversity, value for clients, commitment with employees, respect for local culture and entrepreneurship. Nowadays, Cencosud has a strong brand position in Chile where it has over 50 years’ presence.
SWOT Analysis
Strength:
1) Well-organized brand portfolio The company’s premier business portfolio consolidates its market position across the world. Today, Cencosud is the main operator of the retail sector of the country. It is the largest operator in supermarket industry in both Peru and Argentina, a leader in home improvement industry in Argentina and Chile and the second participant
As one of the largest retail companies in South America and the largest in Chile, Cencosud has transformed itself from a self-service supermarket back in 1962 to a multi-format retailer with 1009 stores across Latin America today. It operates through different store formats including supermarkets (Jumbo), home improvements (Easy), shopping centers (Santa Isabel), financial services (Costanera Center) and department stores (Paris). Today, it’s also the most profitable retailer in Latin America with a leading presence across the major markets in South America including Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Continuously, it seeks as it says its mission "to be the most profitable and prestigious retailer in Latin America, based on excellence in our quality of service, respect for the communities we live and the commitment of our team of collaborators with the basic tenets of our company's vision, challenge, entrepreneurship and perseverance ". Looking back at the history of the company, started in Chile by the Chilean-German businessman Horst Paulmann, the company’s origin was a small self-service deli. Expansion started in 1970s with the innovative idea of becoming “hypermarkets”. The process of internationalization started in 1982 with the opening of the hypermarket “Jumbo” in Argentina. The company stood itself out with its focus on its core values: diversity, value for clients, commitment with employees, respect for local culture and entrepreneurship. Nowadays, Cencosud has a strong brand position in Chile where it has over 50 years’ presence.
SWOT Analysis
Strength:
1) Well-organized brand portfolio The company’s premier business portfolio consolidates its market position across the world. Today, Cencosud is the main operator of the retail sector of the country. It is the largest operator in supermarket industry in both Peru and Argentina, a leader in home improvement industry in Argentina and Chile and the second participant