These businesses are the soul of Mexico, as they support more than three million families that depend on them in the country, hence the great commitment to keep them in operation.
Local commerce has been one of the most affected by the crisis derived from the pandemic, which is why the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry (IMCC) works hand in hand with miscellanies and grocery stores so that together they can reactivate the national economy.
All considering that in Mexico, there are 1.2 million small businesses, of which more than 700,000 are grocery stores that give identity to the country’s neighborhoods, neighborhoods, and communities.
According to the National Association of Small Merchants (ANPEC), 91.71% of these stores reported a drop in sales, between 15% and up to 25%, as a consequence of the arrival of the virus that causes COVID-19.
“Indeed, at Coca-Cola, we have an extended family because we integrate the entire sector of small and medium-sized stores, small and medium businesses including restaurants and inns,” said Sergio Londoño, director of Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability of the Mexican Industry of Coca-Cola Mexico.
And he added that the “little shops” are the soul of Mexico since they support more than three million families that depend on these businesses.
Due to the important role they occupy, the manager explained in the framework of the Expansion Summit 2021, that the company has worked to maintain the safety of shopkeepers and their families and boosted their sales during the contingency with the help of programs, tools, and training. .
For example, the IMCC, made up of eight bottling groups and two PET recycling plants, produced and distributed more than 500,000 sanitary protection equipment, including recycled PET screens and masks that were used, in part, to respond to concerns of buyers and traders in times of the pandemic.
WOMEN TENDERAS: A PRIORITY
According to ANPEC, the “little stores” generate 1% of the national GDP, which is equivalent to more than 300,000 million pesos annually; In addition, they supply 52% of the national demand and offer two million self-employment to Mexicans.
However, currently, six out of 10 businesses are run by women, so the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry develops programs that encourage them to professionalize their businesses.
Therefore, through the strategy of “Empowerment of Women and Small Businesses”, the IMCC seeks to continue promoting the social, economic and digital development of this sector to enhance its success through a personal-business training plan.
In this line, they have managed to provide training to more than 180,000 women and the goal, by 2021, is to benefit 25,000 women in 14 states of the Mexican Republic.
“We want to tell all the small traders that they are not alone. As a company, we maintain our commitment to strengthen each business and we will continue to say that we buy in the ‘little store’ on the corner. Let’s do it from the heart, for the love of Mexico, let’s do this together ”, concluded Londoño.
Source: expansion.mx
