Walmart’s branch in Mexico and Central-America (Walmex) has announced the beginning of their first operational stage to sell gasoline in the states of Tabasco, Nuevo León, Veracruz, and the State of Mexico during the next few weeks.
“At this first stage, the company will open six gas stations at Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Bodega Aurrera stores, which will be installed in the interior of said facilities,” Walmart stated.
The gas stations were built under the highest safety and quality standards, complying with all regulations established by the corresponding authorities.
“Adapting to this business model will allow us to supplement our product offering, providing a comprehensive shopping experience to our customers and partners,” stated Gabriela Buenrostro, assistant manager of Walmex’s Corporate Communications department.
Furthermore, she explained that “in one stop only, our clients will be able to purchase merchandise at our stores and clubs and refuel their cars in a safe, trustworthy, and affordable way.”
Walmart is the largest self-service chain in Mexico, well above Soriana, Chedraui, and La Cómer. On the month of July, the firm had 2,395 establishments in Mexico only, 1,857 of which were Bodega Aurrerá, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Superama, and Medimart Drug Stores.
Up to 2017, Mexico had a total of 11,742 gas stations, which represented an 8% growth regarding 2014, when 10,830 gas stations were registered. However, Mexico is one of the countries with less gas stations per capita in the world.
Mexico’s Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) had identified 2,578 new gas stations operated by 25 different brands at the end of 2017.
One of the changes generated by the Energy Reform was the promotion of higher competitiveness and diversity in product and service offering in the country’s gas stations. The average investment for every new station is of one million dollars. Should the number of units duplicate in the country, it would represent a 12,000 million dollar investment, according to CRE.
Last month, Walmex also informed that the CRE had approved the company’s permit to sell portable LP gas to consumers directly.
The permit has a 30-year term, during which the company will be able to sell portable recipients with a capacity of up to 10 kilograms of said gas.
TYT Newsroom
