Dicico to open 11 stores and plans to get to US$ 588 million
DCI
With the forecast of opening 11 own stores this year, the building material retail chain Dicico plans sales growth above two digits for 2011. According to Marketing Officer of the chain, Cláudio Fortuna, the goal in 2011 is to earn nearly R$ 1 billion (US$ 588 million), compared to that earned in 2010, whose pre-calculated earnings so far amount to R$ 850 million (US$ 500 million). "So we will invest in media campaigns and benefits for our customers", said the spokesperson.
Despite the likelihood of an economic slowdown in the Brazilian economy this year, the retail chain emphasized it will not let the vigor fall, and, in 2011, it should double the number of openings seen in 2010, when six units were inaugurated. Fortuna told the company does not rule out the possibility of making mergers and acquisitions in States in which it is not present. The chain currently has 47 stores in the State of São Paulo. "We thought about starting operating in other States. We are open to the opportunities that may arise", said the spokesman of the chain.
With an average ticket of R$ 200 (US$ 117.6), the Dicico chain does not believe in the slowdown of the market after the new economic measures adopted in the country, and it will continue betting all its chips in department of coatings and ceramics, which now represents 40% of the earnings of the retailer. "We do not foresee changes with the new political and economic scenario for our sector. And because of that we intend to make changes to our budget for 2011", he explained.
To make new customers, Dicico bets on its private label card, a partnership with Banco do Brasil (BB) and Visa. The card is free, there is no collection of charges. As regards the time of delivery, extremely important during the work, the company registered in a civil registry office its "Commitment to Punctuality in the Delivery", which applies both to products available in stock, and to the orders placed. Dicico sets a date for delivery with the client and, in the event of any delay, the company undertakes to return the money paid for the freight. The time of delivery is set with the customer at the time of the purchase. The retail chain was inaugurated in 1918, with its first store in the neighborhood of Ipiranga, in São Paulo. It currently has three thousand direct employees and another 1,200 indirect ones.