Rafael Salazar Mourré announces significant growth for the company, reflecting a strategic focus on retail expansion and technological innovation, with plans for further growth in 2025.
Rafael Salazar Mourré, the director of Comercializadora de la Plata, announced that the company reported a positive growth of 28% in its consolidated results for the year 2024, despite falling slightly short of its target growth of 30%. Speaking to Gestión, Salazar noted that the delays in opening new shopping centers contributed to the unmet goal. He described the 28% growth as “a significant achievement,” considering these challenges.
Over the past year, Comercio de la Plata has expanded its retail presence significantly, adding six new stores to its portfolio, for a total of 29 locations across the country. This expansion includes various store formats and online sales channels. Salazar expressed that their target for 2025 is a 33% growth, emphasizing ongoing enhancements in both physical expansion and sales optimization in existing stores.
The brands under Comercializadora de la Plata have shown varying degrees of success in terms of sales growth. Notably, Lacoste leads with a remarkable growth rate of 52%, followed closely by Tous, which achieved a 44% increase, and Bimba and Lola with a 31% rise. Salazar pointed out that growth for New Era is expected to be more moderate, around 20%, due to a higher base of comparison from previous results.
Plans for further expansion in 2025 include the opening of six additional stores, backed by an investment exceeding $2 million. Specifically, the company is set to open two new stores for New Era, one or two for Tous, and a new location for Bimba and Lola, although Salazar noted that the current state of shopping centers has caused some delays in these expansion efforts.
In addition to opening new locations, Comercializadora de la Plata is focused on renovating and enhancing their existing stores. Salazar highlighted a strategic remodeling initiative at Jockey Plaza, where they significantly increased the size of one store from 44 square meters to 150 square meters, turning it into a flagship location that has positively impacted sales. For the coming year, they plan major renovations for at least two Tous stores and minor adjustments for Bimba and Lola.
Salazar also revealed that Comercializadora de la Plata has initiated a five-year strategic plan aimed at maintaining a consistent expansion rate above 30%. As part of this strategy, the company is actively seeking new brand representations, with Salazar indicating they are in advanced negotiations with two high-profile brands, one of which is from the fashion sector. He did not disclose the names due to signed non-disclosure agreements but expressed optimism about finalizing these agreements this year.
On the technological front, the company is testing the implementation of artificial intelligence in its inventory management system. Salazar mentioned that this initiative aims to strengthen operational processes and improve strategic decision-making. The AI system is expected to be operational in the coming months, focusing on reducing excess inventory and optimizing product distribution to enhance overall sales performance.
Online operations have also seen positive developments, with Tous’s online channel reporting an 11% growth compared to the previous year and expansion into new marketplaces such as Ripley. Similarly, New Era’s digital sales channel grew by 21%, while Bimba and Lola is concentrating on consolidating its e-commerce strategy.
Source: Noah Wire Services
