19 February 2019
The Weekly

Category: Market Analyses

Chile

Cencosud Shopping Centers and rival Vivo are eyeing initial public offerings in coming months to profit from a growing retail market. Cencosud operates multibrand supermarkets, department stores and home improvement centers in five South American countries. The retailer, runs the Paris Department Store and the Johnson department-store chains in Chile and Peru. IGDS Member Paris and Johnson, are increasing their online presence, market a string of unisex private label and well-known brands such as Opposite, Greenfield, Scokvhawai and Nike, as well as Adidas. Chile's retail market is growing on the back of a strengthening economy, prompting foreign brands to open stores. Meanwhile, Vivo, is expected to launch its IPO in the first half. Cencosud Shopping Centers controls 53 malls and mixed properties with Santiago's Costanera retail and office complex. It also owns the Plaza Lima Sur shopping center in Lima, Peru and several other shopping centers, factory malls and strip malls in Argentina, where it claims to have 40% of the market. All said, the company operates 25 malls in Chile, 22 in Argentina, four in Peru and two in Colombia. It accounts for 2% and 21% of the retail group's revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, respectively.