SANTA TECLA, El Salvador, Aug. 28, 2025 — Walmart of Mexico and Central America held a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of Walmart Santa Tecla, marking the start of the company’s ambitious plan to accelerate growth in El Salvador, investing more than USD $260 million over the next five years.
The investment, beginning with a brand-new Supercenter, stands to spur progress in the region. It will go toward opening new stores, remodeling existing ones, increasing sustainability initiatives, upgrading plants and distribution centers, strengthening logistics networks, and enhancing technology to consolidate the company’s omnichannel strategy.
Cristina Ronski, CEO of Walmart Central America, emphasized the company’s commitment to the country.
“We believe in El Salvador, which is why we’re making this investment announcement that will boost the economy, create direct jobs, and expand commercial relationships with local suppliers, including agricultural producers and small manufacturing businesses,” Ronski said. “There is great potential and much to be done.”
The investments are projected to generate over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, most of them in the same communities where new stores will be opened. Productive linkages will also be strengthened, especially with small- and medium-sized Salvadoran suppliers.
Walmart Santa Tecla will create more than 100 direct jobs and will be the seventh Supercenter format store and the 103rd store in the country. It will feature over 200 parking spaces, a pickup zone for online orders, self-checkout stations, and the latest innovations in sustainability: a solar panel system, electric vehicle charging stations, and CO₂ refrigeration technology that produces zero greenhouse gas emissions. It will also include mercury-free LED lighting and water-efficient sanitary fixtures.
Ronski made it clear that this commitment will be reflected in concrete projects: “We deliver on what we promise. The groundbreaking ceremony of Walmart Santa Tecla is proof that we honor the commitments we make, and we will continue to do so with the opening of new stores, remodels, and further investments in technology, logistics, and sustainability,” she said.
Omnichannel strategy and customer solutions
The investment in El Salvador will also strengthen the company’s omnichannel strategy, offering customers all purchasing options through both physical stores and digital platforms.
Wherever it operates, Walmart works to make it easier for customers to live better. In El Salvador, the company provides solutions to improve people’s quality of life, such as receiving and transferring remittances, paying utility bills, and offering greater payment flexibility for products.
“We are 100% focused on helping Salvadoran families save money and live better,” Ronski said. “We want to bring products, services and solutions to more homes across El Salvador, especially those with fewer resources.”
El Salvador by the numbers:
- Stores: 102
- Banners: Walmart, La Despensa de Don Juan, Maxi Despensa and Despensa Familiar
- Current associates: 4,700
- Distribution Centers: 3
- Plants: 1
- SMEs and agricultural suppliers: 135
90% of what Walmart sells in the country is supplied by local companies.
Walmart’s expansion plan in El Salvador further enhances the contribution of Walmart Mexico and Central America to national economic development. Today, 90% of what Walmart sells in the country is supplied by local companies. Additionally, from El Salvador, Walmart exports a growing variety of products to supply other markets around the world.
Walmart’s growth is accompanied by its commitment to becoming a regenerative company, which means operating under four strategic pillars: generating opportunities for associates and suppliers, especially small- and medium-sized local businesses; supporting communities, particularly the most vulnerable; leading in sustainability to restore and preserve nature; and upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity.
Walmart Central America
Walmart Central America is dedicated to the retail sector. Its mission is to help improve the quality of life for families and communities across the five countries where it operates. In Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, the company helps people save money and live better. It operates more than 900 stores across four formats: discount stores, Bodegas, Supermarkets and Supercenters.
