Wholesale lives euphoria and foresees new records this year
DCI
If 2009 was good for the wholesale, with earnings of R$ 131.8 billion (US$ 66.9 billion), the projections for 2010 are even more optimistic, with expectation of growth of up to 30% by the chains of the sector. The Brazilian Association of Wholesalers and industrialized products distributors (Abad) has projected growth of 6% for the segment in 2010. In 2009, the sector grew 4.1% in real terms compared to the prior year, above expectations of the Abad that projected growth of 3%. The retail food chain generated R$ 252.7 billion (US$ 128.3 billion), 52.2% of which were generated by wholesale distributors.
With earnings above R$ 860 million (US$ 436.6 million) in 2009, the wholesale group Grupo Roldão Atacadista is getting it act together to grow 30% this year, exceeding R$ 1 billion (US$ 571.4 million) in earnings. To do so, it will invest nearly R$ 30 million (US$ 17.1 million) over the year, with the opening of a distribution center that will be operational within 5 months and the opening of three stores, amounting to 15 units in the State. "Until 2012, we will invest in stores in the State of São Paulo, and from then on we want to move on to all regions of the country", said Ricardo Roldão, President of the company. Roldão ranks third in the general ranking of the Abad in the State of São Paulo and, in the national scenario, it is in seventh place. The company intends to move forward with some measures that range from the recruitment of executives in the market to the adjustment of the mix of products, according to the president of the group.
Grupo Pão de Açúcar intends to strengthen its brand in the wholesale as well. 18 of the 100 new stores scheduled to open this year will feature the Assaí brand, one of the formats with greater profitability for the group. Carrefour, which will invest R$ 2.5 billion (US$ 1.43 billion) this year, wants to increase the auto-service wholesale arm of the chain, Atacadão, to regions of the Northeast as well. Another major chain that intends to increase its participation in the wholesale format is the North American Walmart, which has already confirmed that most of the 100 units it intends to open this year will feature the popular brands Atacado Maxxi and TodoDia.