Supermarkets in Mexico - Statistics & Facts
When it comes to grocery shopping in Mexico, supermarkets are a fundamental part of the shopping landscape, and their trillion-peso industry is ever-growing. Between 2017 and 2022, the retail revenue of supermarkets and convenience stores in the country increased by over 47 percent, and the number of employees working in the sector was higher in 2022 than ever before.
Due to current trends, it is expected that consumers will continue to be more careful about what they purchase, looking for more affordable prices and better deals. Discounters are poised to compete for consumers’ interest in low prices, and shopper interest in omnichannel options across retailers may grow as digitalization expands and allows for a wider variety of options.
The big players
The supermarket landscape in Mexico is shaped by four major companies: Walmart de México, Organización Soriana, Grupo Comercial Chedraui, and Grupo La Comer, all of which have several different brands and formats tailored to their target demographic and location. Walmart is by far the biggest player, accounting for about 65 percent of all supermarket sales in 2023. Overall, shoppers in Mexico tend to prefer regular and discount formats, such as Walmart Supercenter (regular format) and Bodega Aurrerá (discount format), which compete directly with Sorana Híper and Soriana Mercado, respectively.Consumer preferences
Whether grocery shopping at Walmart, Soriana, Chedraui, or La Comer, consumers in Mexico share certain attributes and preferences when shopping. One of the main concerns in 2022 was the rising price of food, as food expenditures have increased considerably in the past years. Consumers have responded by being more frugal, for example, trading down and being more careful about their purchases. While consumers in Mexico think that healthy and environmentally responsible food options are important, other factors such as product quality and availability still determine food choices.Due to current trends, it is expected that consumers will continue to be more careful about what they purchase, looking for more affordable prices and better deals. Discounters are poised to compete for consumers’ interest in low prices, and shopper interest in omnichannel options across retailers may grow as digitalization expands and allows for a wider variety of options.
