How many people visit supermarkets in Costa Rica?
If you are interested in the consumer behavior and market trends of Costa Rica, you might want to know how many people visit supermarkets in this Central American country. In this blog post, we will explore some data and insights on this topic, based on official sources and surveys.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), there were 1,380 supermarkets in Costa Rica in 2019, distributed among 82 cantons. The total number of employees in these establishments was 38,564, which represents 1.8% of the total employed population in the country.
The INEC also reports that the average monthly expenditure per household on food and beverages in supermarkets was 103,685 colones (about $170) in 2019, which accounts for 18.6% of the total household expenditure. This means that Costa Ricans spend more on supermarkets than on any other type of store or market.
However, not all households have the same access or preference for supermarkets. A survey conducted by the University of Costa Rica (UCR) in 2018 found that 77.4% of households visited a supermarket at least once a week, while 13.5% did so once every two weeks, and 9.1% did so once a month or less.
The survey also revealed some differences among regions and socio-economic groups. For instance, households in the Central Valley region visited supermarkets more frequently (81.4%) than those in other regions (72.4%). Similarly, households with higher income and education levels visited supermarkets more often (84.2%) than those with lower income and education levels (69.7%).
The UCR survey also asked about the main reasons for choosing a supermarket over other types of stores or markets. The most common answers were: variety of products (62.3%), quality of products (51.9%), convenience (48%), prices (39.7%), and promotions (28.8%).
As we can see, supermarkets are an important part of the Costa Rican economy and society, attracting a large number of customers every week. However, there are also some challenges and opportunities for improvement for the supermarket sector in Costa Rica, such as:
– Increasing the accessibility and affordability of supermarkets for all segments of the population, especially those in rural areas or with low income.
– Offering more sustainable and healthy options for consumers, such as organic, local, or fair trade products, as well as reducing food waste and plastic packaging.
– Adapting to the changing preferences and needs of customers, such as online shopping, home delivery, or personalized services.
– Competing with other types of stores or markets that may offer lower prices, fresher products, or cultural diversity.
In conclusion, supermarkets in Costa Rica have a significant role in the food system and the consumer behavior of the country, but they also face some challenges that require innovation and adaptation to meet the demands of a diverse and dynamic market.
