The creation of the Wellness Stores has sparked debate about its impact on the retail sector, especially for chains like Chedraui and Soriana. Experts warn that these stores could affect both large chains and small merchants.
Carlos Hermosillo, a consumption analyst, believes that the risk for large chains will be minimal since the Wellness Stores cater to a different segment. In contrast, Natalia Andrea Campos from the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) points out serious challenges for these establishments due to past corruption in similar institutions.
The Wellness Stores raise doubts about the quality of the products offered and whether the government will transform Diconsa and Liconsa stores into these new stores. Analyst Marisol Huerta Mondragón mentions that consumers have expressed dissatisfaction in previous experiences due to the low quality of products like beans and rice.
According to experts, the lack of oversight, transparency in public purchases, and deficiencies in product supply pose potential challenges for the Wellness Stores. Cuauhtémoc Rivera, president of the National Alliance of Small Merchants (Anpec), indicates that the impact could be greater in the informal sector and on micro, small, and medium enterprises.
In this regard, there is concern about the possible impact on more than 600,000 grocery stores and miscellaneous shops in Mexico, which largely depend on this sector. Despite the uncertainty about the future of the Wellness Stores, noticeable effects on market competition and the quality of the products offered are expected.
