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Summary: Grupo Comercial Chedraui will invest MX$7.8 billion to open 245 new stores in the State of Mexico over four years, reinforcing retail as a key driver of employment, regional development and domestic investment in Mexico’s largest consumer market. The expansion strengthens local supply chains, supports formal job creation and aligns with state efforts to attract investment beyond major urban centers, while highlighting the resilience of Mexico’s retail sector despite weaker consumer demand affecting the company’s US operations.
Grupo Comercial Chedraui will invest MX$7.8 billion (US$417 million) to expand its footprint in the State of Mexico, opening 245 new stores over the next four years in a move expected to create approximately 15,000 direct and indirect jobs as the retailer continues strengthening its presence in one of the country’s largest consumer markets.
The investment was announced at a Chedraui store in Lerma alongside officials from the State of Mexico government, who highlighted the project as part of broader efforts to attract investment, expand formal employment and diversify economic activity across the state.
Chedraui currently operates 131 stores in the State of Mexico, making it one of the state’s largest supermarket chains. According to Jaime Lozano, the company’s Expansion Director, that existing footprint provides a strong platform for continued growth. “We currently operate 131 stores in the State of Mexico, making us an important player in the daily consumption of families across the state and giving us a solid foundation to continue growing here,” Lozano said.
“Our objective is to bring a better product offering to more communities, strengthen local supply chains and stimulate economic activity in urban, metropolitan and regional areas throughout the State of Mexico,” says Lozano.
A key component of the expansion strategy will be the rollout of Supercito Chedraui convenience-format stores. These smaller outlets typically feature between 250 and 300m2 of sales floor space and are designed to integrate into existing commercial properties rather than requiring new construction. Lozano said the format allows the company to reuse existing buildings, accelerating store openings while reducing construction-related impacts on surrounding communities, traffic and the environment.
Each Supercito location requires an average investment of approximately MX$8 million and generates about 18 jobs, including 10 direct positions and eight indirect jobs. The company has identified 17 cities with significant expansion potential, including the Toluca metropolitan area, Valle de Bravo, Amecameca, Ixtapan de la Sal, Ozumba, Tapaxco, Jilotepec, Villa del Carbon, Coatepec, San Felipe del Progreso and Villa Victoria.
Within the metropolitan area surrounding Mexico City, Chedraui sees potential to open an additional 100 large-format stores and up to 150 Supercito locations. The Toluca region could accommodate four additional large stores, according to the company.
Retail Sector Continues Driving Investment
State officials said the project reinforces the importance of retail as both a source of employment and an engine for regional economic development. Laura González, Minister of Economic Development, State of Mexico, said self-service retailers play a critical role in ensuring access to consumer goods while generating investment throughout the state. “Self-service stores play an indispensable role not only in ensuring the daily supply of goods for families but also as true drivers of local development and employment,” González said.
The State of Mexico currently has 4,183 self-service retail establishments, the highest total among Mexico’s states. Ecatepec has the largest concentration of stores, followed by Toluca and Tlalnepantla.
According to González, the retail sector attracted approximately US$400 million in foreign direct investment between 4Q23, when the current state administration began, and 1Q26. Domestic companies invested an additional MX$6 billion in retail projects during the same period, demonstrating continued confidence in the state’s consumer market. For 2026 and 2027 alone, authorities expect an initial MX$1.423 billion in investment associated with the opening of 78 stores, creating approximately 1,700 direct jobs.
“We continue working so that more investments and more jobs reach every corner of our state. It is important that opportunities are not concentrated only in the most populated regions but are available throughout the state,” González said.
Expansion Continues Despite US Challenges
The State of Mexico investment comes as Chedraui maintains an aggressive expansion strategy despite softer operating conditions in the United States, where weaker consumer spending has affected financial performance.
Earlier this year, the company reported that first-quarter consolidated sales declined 6.2% year over year as lower customer traffic at its El Super and Fiesta supermarket chains offset continued growth in Mexico. Same-store sales fell 2.8% in the United States while increasing 2.1% in Mexico, reported MBN. Management attributed the slowdown primarily to stricter US immigration policies that reduced shopping frequency among key customer segments.
Despite those headwinds, Chedraui continues to expand internationally. The company expects to open five additional US stores this year while improving logistics efficiency through its Rancho Cucamonga Distribution Center.
CEO Antonio Chedraui said disciplined cost management enabled the retailer to improve profitability despite weaker sales. “Regardless of market conditions and exchange-rate effects, we were able to improve net profit compared with the previous year, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of sales,” Antonio Chedraui said.
The retailer also strengthened its position in the US market by ranking No. 57 in the National Retail Federation’s Top 100 Retailers 2026 list, with US retail sales totaling US$7.73 billion during the latest reporting period, reported MBN.
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