Chilean Hard Discount Giant Ahorra Food Depot Set to Shake Up Peru’s Retail Market
The Peruvian retail landscape is about to witness a seismic shift as the Chilean hard discount supermarket chain, Ahorra Food Depot, prepares to make its debut in July 2025. With an aggressive expansion strategy, the company aims to challenge established players like mass, Inretail, and 3rd stores from the AJE group, promising to bring a new wave of competition to the thriving discount sector.
A Bold Entry into Peru
Table of Contents
- Save Food Depot’s Ambitious Expansion into Peru: A Q&A with the Experts
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- Q: What is Save Food Depot’s long-term goal for its presence in Peru?
- Q: Who are Save Food Depot’s main competitors in Peru?
- Q: What strategies will Save Food Depot use to differentiate itself in Peru?
- Q: How does Save Food Depot plan to maintain its competitive pricing?
- Q: What products will Save Food Depot offer in Peru?
- Q: What adjustments has Save Food Depot made in Chile to prepare for its Peru expansion?
- Q: How is Save Food Depot performing in Chile ahead of its Peru launch?
- Q: What can Peruvian consumers expect from Save Food Depot’s entry in July 2025?
- Concluding Thoughts
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Ahorra Food Depot, known for its low-price model and strategic product selection, is set to open its first store in Lima this July. The company’s initial focus will be on establishing six to eight stores in the first half of 2025, each occupying between 200 and 300 square meters. According to Alberto Alvo Alaluf, General Manager of Ahorra Food Depot, the goal is for each store to achieve a monthly turnover of approximately $150,000 plus taxes.
The long-term vision is even more ambitious. By 2030, the company plans to expand nationwide, reaching a total of 60 stores.This growth strategy mirrors the success Ahorra Food Depot has achieved in Chile,where it has built a strong presence by combining its own brands with well-known products to maintain competitive pricing.
Testing the Waters
To ensure a successful entry into the Peruvian market, ahorra Food Depot has decided to operate its first eight stores as direct properties. “Initially, the first eight stores are going to be ours, because we want to soak up the market,” Alvo explained to the Financial Newspaper.
The company is taking a cautious yet strategic approach. “While we have identified several characteristics of the Peruvian market that we like very much, we want to live the experience of understanding these first local eights. The decision of whether we are going to grow with franchises throughout the country or with our own premises will depend on the results of these first establishments,” Alvo added.
In Chile, Ahorra Food Depot has already begun implementing a franchise model to expand into regions, while maintaining full control of its stores in Santiago. This hybrid approach could be replicated in Peru, depending on the performance of its initial stores.
A Competitive Landscape
The hard discount segment in Peru has been growing rapidly, driven by inflation and shifting consumer habits. Mass, a subsidiary of Inretail, has dominated the sector since its launch in 2016, closing 2023 with 900 stores and projecting to exceed 1,200 branches by 2024.
According to Lock & Associates, the modern retail channel, which includes supermarkets and discount stores, grew by 5.4% in value and 5.9% in volume in 2023. Within this segment, hard discount stores saw a remarkable 22% growth in value, solidifying their position as a preferred option for cost-conscious consumers.
Adding to the competition, the AJE group has entered the fray with its 3rd stores, which already operate three locations in Lima and are planning an accelerated expansion. This new player aims to replicate the success of low-cost formats like 3B stores in Mexico, further intensifying the battle for market share.
Ahorra Food Depot’s Value Proposition
Ahorra Food Depot’s entry into Peru is not just about low prices; it’s about offering a carefully curated selection of products that cater to the needs of Peruvian consumers. By blending its own brands with recognized items, the company aims to deliver value without compromising on quality.
As the hard discount sector continues to grow, Ahorra food depot’s arrival promises to shake up the market, offering consumers more choices and driving innovation in the retail space.
Key Highlights at a glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| First Store Opening | July 2025 in Lima |
| Initial Expansion | 6-8 stores in the first half of 2025 |
| Store Size | 200-300 square meters |
| Monthly Turnover Goal| $150,000 plus taxes per store |
| Long-Term Goal | 60 stores nationwide by 2030 |
| competitors | Mass,Inretail,3rd stores (AJE group) |
The stage is set for a fierce competition in Peru’s hard discount sector,and Ahorra Food Depot is ready to make its mark.Will it succeed in carving out a meaningful share of the market? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Peruvian consumers are in for a treat.Save Food Depot, the Chilean retail chain, is gearing up to make a bold entry into Peru’s competitive market by July 2025.facing established rivals, the company plans to differentiate itself through aggressive pricing and a focus on personalized service. According to Alvo, the chain aims to offer prices up to 25% lower than those of wholesale supermarkets, a strategy designed to attract cost-conscious consumers.
A Focus on personalized Service
Unlike traditional Hard Discount stores, which often provide minimal customer interaction, Save Food Depot is prioritizing a more tailored shopping experience. “Generally, Hard Discount stores offer unclosed attention, with only two ATMs and a local chief. In our case, we will make a difference by prioritizing personalized attention,” Alvo explained. The company has even experimented with innovative approaches, such as incorporating a violinist in one of its Chilean branches to enhance the customer experience.
Leveraging Own-Brand Products
Another key strategy is the supply of products under its own brands. With 25 years of experience in the food industry, the Alca Group, Save Food depot’s parent company, operates factories in China and has offices in the United States and Mexico. “We have factories that produce all kinds of products under our brands at an unachievable price to match,” Alvo stated. This vertical integration allows the company to maintain competitive pricing while ensuring quality.
The product portfolio will include frozen items like proteins, seafood, and vegetables, as well as groceries, personal hygiene products, and home cleaning supplies. While the company is exploring the sale of medicines and sports articles in Chile, these categories will not be part of its initial offerings in Peru.
Adjustments and Growth in Chile
As part of its preparation for the Peruvian market, Save Food Depot has made strategic adjustments in Chile. the company recently closed two branches in the Metropolitan Region—Peñalolén and San Diego—due to their failure to meet size standards. Carol Alvo, sister of the general manager, explained that the company prefers operating in spaces between 200 and 250 square meters.
Despite these closures, Save Food Depot continues to grow, with monthly sales nearing 400 million Chilean pesos across its eight stores. The company has also expanded its presence in e-commerce,partnering with platforms like Orders and preparing to launch its own online store.
A New Chapter in Peruvian Retail
With a well-defined expansion strategy, aggressive pricing, and an efficient operational model, Save Food Depot is poised to enter one of South america’s moast dynamic retail markets. Its arrival in July 2025 is expected to intensify competition in Peru’s Hard Discount sector, challenging established players.
| Key Highlights | Details |
|—————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Entry into Peru | July 2025 |
| Pricing Strategy | Up to 25% lower than wholesale supermarkets |
| Product Portfolio | Frozen foods, groceries, personal hygiene, home cleaning products |
| Own-Brand Products | Produced in factories in China, the U.S.,and Mexico |
| E-commerce Expansion | Presence on Orders platform; own online store in development |
| Monthly Sales in Chile | Close to 400 million Chilean pesos |
Save Food Depot’s innovative approach and strategic planning position it as a formidable contender in Peru’s retail landscape. By combining affordability with personalized service, the company aims to carve out a significant share of the market.
Save Food Depot’s Ambitious Expansion into Peru: A Q&A with the Experts
Q: What is Save Food Depot’s long-term goal for its presence in Peru?
A: Save Food Depot aims to establish 60 stores nationwide by 2030, positioning itself as a major player in Peru’s competitive hard discount retail sector.
Q: Who are Save Food Depot’s main competitors in Peru?
A: The company will face established rivals such as Mass, Inretail, and 3rd Stores (part of the AJE group), setting the stage for intense competition in the market.
Q: What strategies will Save Food Depot use to differentiate itself in Peru?
A: The company plans to leverage aggressive pricing, offering prices up to 25% lower than wholesale supermarkets, combined with a focus on personalized customer service. Unlike customary hard discount stores, Save Food depot will prioritize a tailored shopping experience to stand out.
Q: How does Save Food Depot plan to maintain its competitive pricing?
A: The company’s parent group, Alca Group, operates factories in China, the U.S., and Mexico, allowing it to produce a wide range of products under its own brands at competitive prices. This vertical integration ensures both affordability and quality.
Q: What products will Save Food Depot offer in Peru?
A: The product portfolio will include frozen foods like proteins, seafood, and vegetables, as well as groceries, personal hygiene products, and home cleaning supplies. However, categories like medicines and sports articles, which are being explored in Chile, will not be part of the initial offerings in Peru.
Q: What adjustments has Save Food Depot made in Chile to prepare for its Peru expansion?
A: The company recently closed two branches in Chile’s Metropolitan Region—Peñalolén and San Diego—due to their failure to meet size standards. Save Food Depot prefers operating in spaces between 200 and 250 square meters, ensuring efficiency and consistency across its stores.
Q: How is Save Food Depot performing in Chile ahead of its Peru launch?
A: With monthly sales nearing 400 million Chilean pesos across its eight stores, Save Food Depot continues to grow.The company has also expanded its e-commerce presence, partnering with platforms like Orders and preparing to launch its own online store.
Q: What can Peruvian consumers expect from Save Food Depot’s entry in July 2025?
A: Peruvian consumers can look forward to a combination of affordability and personalized service, as Save Food depot aims to carve out a significant share of the market. Its arrival is expected to intensify competition in the hard discount sector, offering more choices for cost-conscious shoppers.
Concluding Thoughts
Save Food Depot’s strategic planning, innovative approach, and focus on affordability and personalized service position it as a formidable contender in Peru’s retail landscape. By leveraging its own-brand products and operational efficiency, the company is well-prepared to challenge established players and make a meaningful impact on the market.
