RETAIL: Survival of the fittest
Jul 1, 2012
The sky is the limit for Chile’s big retailers. But smaller companies seeking funds face a tougher time following a scandal last year that has brought extra scrutiny to the sector
By Karen Schwartz
Chilean retailers have a lot going for them – at least when it comes to meeting their funding needs and watching their sales swell.
The country’s retail culture is thriving as the purchasing power of its citizens grows in line with rising disposable income and a greater ability to spend in an expanding economy. Consumption has also been boosted by strong consumer financing programs that have made high-end goods accessible to a burgeoning middle class – as well as the poor.
For large Chilean retailers with top credit ratings, the story is of relentless expansion and a thirst for funding as they look to grow their businesses and build out their brands. Having achieved a degree of success in their home markets, the top players are now looking abroad for their next wave of expansion.
Christopher DiSalvatore, a senior analyst covering the retail and banking sectors at Santiago-based IMTrust,...
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