Walmart’s expanding reach in Mérida

A Suburbia chain store owned by Walmart is opening in a beautiful historic building in the Centro. Photo: Diario de Yucatán
A Suburbia chain store owned by Walmart is opening in a beautiful historic building in the Centro. Photo: Diario de Yucatán

Mérida, Yucatán — Walmart’s reach here expanded in 2014 and the latest branch of its Suburbia department store, soon to inhabit one of the Historic Center grand structures, is the latest example of the company’s growth.

The municipal director of Urban Development, Federico Sauri Molina, said that opening a Suburbia store in the Historic Center benefits the city not only in economic terms, but allowed the rescue of a historic building of high architectural value.

Suburbia’s building, a block south of the Plaza Grande on Calle 65 between 60 and 62, was renovated under INAH supervision, “so there is a guarantee that the building regained its architectural beauty and increased its real estate value,” said the official.

“A few months ago, Walmart de Mexico requested and obtained permission for Urban Development and the INAH for rescue and enabling this historic building to become the department store Suburbia” said Sauri Molina.

Walmart-owned Bodega Aurrerá is expanding north and south of Mérida. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Walmart-owned Bodega Aurrerá is expanding north and south of Mérida. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The new store Suburbia is one of the three projects initiated by Walmart this year. Two Bodega Aurrerá supermarket, one finished in Fracc. Las Americas in the north and another still in the works opposite the Kukulcan stadium in the south.

Sauri Molina said that the expansion of Walmart in Mérida is an indicator that its market studies show positive results and Merida is optimal and safe for business.

Suburbia stores generate 50-70 direct jobs and each Bodega Aurrerá supermarket employs about 130 people.

A Sams Club opening in 2013 on Avenida Aviación established 230 new jobs. Photo: Reporter Yucatan
A Sams Club opening in 2013 by the airport established 230 new jobs. Photo: Reporter Yucatan

Walmart has nine Mi Bodega Aurrerás, seven Bodega Aurrerás, five Walmarts, three restaurants Vips, three Sam’s Club, two Suburbias, one Superama and one El Portón restaurant. A fourth Vips, on the Paseo de Montejo, change owners in 2013 after 20 years.

Over 3,000 jobs in Yucatán are attributed directly to Walmart’s enterprises, and another 3,000-plus jobs are connected indirectly to Walmart’s investments.

One fifth of the Walmart stores in the world are in Mexico.

Source: Diario de Yucatán

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