Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Tourism slowdown and insecurity weaken Chedraui sales in southeast Mexico
Chedraui said sales are weakening in southeast Mexico, where consumer spending is slower than in the rest of the country.
The region accounts for about 42% of the chain’s sales in Mexico.
The company cited a tourism slowdown, sargassum seaweed, security concerns, the peso-dollar exchange rate and weaker public and private investment.
In the third quarter of 2026, Chedraui’s regional sales fell about 2%, while same-store sales across the retail sector there dropped by just over 4%.
The company said it has controlled costs and maintained its profit margins while keeping prices competitive.
Chief executive José Antonio Chedraui expects the region to recover, describing the current conditions as part of a cycle.
During the quarter, the chain opened 22 Supercitos stores, three Chedraui stores, one Super Chedraui and one Arteli store.
Chedraui said tourism slowdown, sargassum and insecurity weakened consumer activity and sales in southeast Mexico.
The region accounts for about 42% of the supermarket chain’s sales in Mexico.
Chedraui’s same-store sales in the region fell about 2% in the third quarter of 2026, compared with a decline of just over 4% for ANTAD’s self-service segment.
Chief executive José Antonio Chedraui said the company expects the region to recover and has controlled costs while maintaining its pricing strategy.
- Who
- Grupo Comercial Chedraui and its chief executive, José Antonio Chedraui.
- What
- The company reported weaker sales in southeast Mexico amid sluggish consumption.
- When
- The third quarter of 2026; the results were discussed at a conference with analysts.
- Where
- Southeast Mexico.
- Why
- Tourism activity slowed, and sargassum, insecurity, exchange-rate movements and weaker public and private investment affected the region.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Chedraui’s same-store sales in the southeast fell about 2%, while ANTAD’s self-service sales in the region declined by just over 4%.
Chedraui opened 22 Supercitos stores, three Chedraui stores, one Super Chedraui store and one Arteli store.
José Antonio Chedraui discussed the regional slowdown and the company’s sales and pricing strategy with analysts.
- Regional share
- About 42% of Chedraui’s sales in Mexico
- Chedraui same-store sales
- Fell about 2% in the southeast in the third quarter of 2026
- ANTAD self-service sales
- Fell just over 4% in the southeast in the third quarter of 2026
- Supercitos openings
- 22 stores in the third quarter of 2026
- Other store openings
- Three Chedraui, one Super Chedraui and one Arteli store in the third quarter of 2026
What people are saying
The region is still being affected by tourism. I think sargassum, the dollar-peso exchange rate and security have undoubtedly affected that particular region.
We feel we will be able to recover.
Despite the slowdown in consumption, we have been able to maintain and sometimes even increase margins, while continuing to be very aggressive in our pricing strategy.
When consumers have limited capacity, even if you promote more, that does not necessarily translate into better sales.