Walmex, the Mexican and Central American division of Walmart, will invest more than 125bn pesos ($6bn) in Mexico in 2025 to drive long-term growth.
The plans were unveiled by president and chief executive officer Ignacio Caride to shareholders and the general investor public during the morning conference of the Mexican Presidency.
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Walmart de México y Centroamérica is set to expand its presence in Mexico with the launch of additional outlets across the store formats Bodega Aurrera, Sam’s Club, Walmart Supercenter and Walmart Express.
The expansion will create 5,500 new direct employment opportunities. The new locations will augment the company’s extensive network, which currently encompasses 3,200 stores in 700 municipalities throughout all the country’s 32 states.
The planned openings are part of a broader investment strategy bolstering Walmart’s commitment to maintaining its substantial workforce in Mexico, where it already provides more than 200,000 direct and permanent jobs.
In line with its growth initiatives, Walmart is also progressing with the development of two advanced distribution centres in the Bajío region and the state of Tlaxcala. The facilities will be fitted with advanced robotics and artificial intelligence technologies.
Walmart’s dedication to fostering economic growth within Mexico extends to its intricate supply chain network. The company collaborates with 33,000 suppliers, of which 85% are classified as small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
83% of the retailer’s inventory is sourced from products manufactured within Mexico, underscoring the brand’s support for local production.
At the Walmex Day 2025 gathering, the company also disclosed its capital expenditure plans, focusing on its operations within Mexico and Central America.
The retailer will allocate 41% of $41.8m pesos investment towards refurbishing existing stores, integrating advanced capabilities such as omnichannel functions, and ensuring an optimal shopping experience for consumers.
Walmex has set aside 30% of its investment funds for the construction of new stores and clubs.
This move aligns with projections made during Walmex Day, indicating plans to inaugurate 1,500 stores, expanding the sales floor area by more than 1.4 million square metres up to 2029.
The new outlets will contribute between 1.5% and 1.7% to the total sales growth in 2025, with Bodega Aurrera expected to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s expansion.
A further 18% of the investment will be directed towards enhancing and automating the existing supply chain network.
The initiative aims to augment growth capacity and deliver superior customer service.
11% of the funds are earmarked for strategic omnichannel and technology projects to refine the shopping experience on digital platforms, bolster analytics capabilities for deeper customer insights and implement automation in stores and distribution centres to boost staff productivity.
In December 2024 Walmex faced penalties imposed by Mexico’s Federal Economic Competition Commission due to allegations of engaging in anti-competitive practices with its suppliers.
