Costa Rica: Auto Mercado Launches New Brand of Convenience Stores

Auto Mercado has launched a new brand of convenience stores, Vindi, with its first store located in a residential neighbourhood in Heredia.



Guillermo Alonso García, Project Manager at Auto Mercado, said the entry into the convenience market is based on over 50 years of experience and 14 supermarkets.

The new convenience store that aims to compete directly with FreshWay and AM/PM is 500 square metres (some 5.000 square feet) and offers, according to García, a wider range of products that the competition.

Auto Mercado says that it has plans to open six Vindi stores by the end of the year, each costing on average US$300.000.

The convenience store will focus on the Auto Mercado tradition of freshness and quality products, including a variety of exclusive imported products.

García added that Vindi will offer a unique shopping experience in the convenience market sector.