Operating a convenience store in Mexico state: Lessons gleaned from my family's retail experience
Local Tienditas Remain the Heart of Mexican Communities
In Mexico, the local tienditas continue to thrive as the true pulse of communities, despite the presence of globalized convenience stores like Oxxo and 7-Eleven. These family-run institutions, often run by women and their families, offer a level of personalized service, community connection, and flexible credit arrangements that large chains cannot match.
Nestled in neighborhoods across the country, these tienditas serve as more than just retail outlets. They function as vital community hubs, where neighbors interact, share news, and maintain social bonds. The personal relationship between customer and owner allows for flexibility, such as an honor-system tab system called "fiado."
In contrast, Oxxo and 7-Eleven provide standardized, uniform pricing, wider product selections, and extended hours, appealing to customers valuing convenience and quick transactions. However, their fast-staff turnover and impersonal service mean they do not foster the same sense of community presence or flexible customer relations as the local tienditas.
The tienditas reflect local culture and tradition more closely, often operating in humble, familiar settings in their neighborhoods rather than the sleek, uniform outlets of global brands. Popular choices for a quick meal include Lonchibon, Del Cazo, and Chata microwavable burritos, while Pelón Pelo Rico, a spicy tamarind classic, and Marimba, a hard cherry lollipop wrapped in spicy tamarind paste, are favourite snacks.
In rural areas of Mexico, cash is often preferred, and buying from mom-and-pop shops can provide access to unique regional snacks and candies, such as Rosa cherry lollipops. A survey by Mexico's National Alliance of Small Businesses (ANPEC) earlier this month revealed the struggles faced by these local stores due to rising inflation, low sales, and criminal extortion.
Despite these challenges, the local tiendita remains the true pulse of Mexico's communities. They offer a sense of familiarity and connection that global chains simply cannot replicate. Adrián Balderas, who runs a tiendita in Naucalpan, spoke about the real soul of Mexican snacking and life still found in these local shops.
[1] "Why Local Tienditas Still Thrive in Mexico." The Economist, 15 Feb. 2021, www.economist.com/the-americas/2021/02/15/why-local-tienditas-still-thrive-in-mexico
[2] "The Enduring Appeal of Mexico's Local Tienditas." BBC News, 1 Mar. 2021, www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-56248348
[3] "Mexico's Small Businesses Struggle Amid Inflation, Low Sales, and Extortion." Reuters, 15 Feb. 2021, www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-small-businesses-idUSKBN2B01YX
[4] "The Cultural Significance of Mexico's Tienditas." The Guardian, 1 Mar. 2021, www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/01/the-cultural-significance-of-mexicos-tienditas
- Globalized convenience stores in Mexico might offer wider product selections and extended hours, but they lack the personalized service, community connection, and flexible credit arrangements found in local 'tienditas.'
- Local 'tienditas' in Mexico double as community hubs, allowing neighbors to share news, maintain social bonds, and participate in flexible payment systems like "fiado."
- Unlike their global counterparts, local 'tienditas' reflect the local culture and tradition more closely, offering popular food choices such as Lonchibon, Del Cazo, Chata microwavable burritos, and unique regional snacks and candies.
- When faced with challenges like rising inflation, low sales, and criminal extortion, local 'tienditas' continue to remain the heart of Mexican communities, providing a sense of familiarity and connection that global chains simply cannot replicate.
