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Wal-Mart in AcapulcoOne sure sign that Acapulco has joined the modern world is the presence of that huge Wal-Mart in Costa Azul. This is great is you're into one stop shopping. There's also a Sam's Club here which can be great too if you need to buy 10 gallons of peanut butter.
On the other hand, the Wal-Mart invasion of Mexico is not so great if you came to Mexico to escape one stop shopping. Indeed, Wal-Mart presents it's own special set of problems with the potential to undercut a lot of local sellers and producers and disturb the flavor of the local culture. It also stands as a symbol of how Mexico confronts modernity and the influence of U.S. culture.
I haven't noticed any problems of this sort in Acapulco which is advancing toward modernity with one eye on the past, but I suppose the potential exists. Actually, in the cultural battle between U.S. culture and Mexican culture, I think Mexican culture is influencing the U.S., well ,the South West anyway, more than the other way around.
I do have to say that the Acapulco Wal-Mart has the prettiest edecanes (girls that stand around and offer cheese samples and such).
It is sad, though, to see local cultures undermined sort of the same way it's sad to hear that some species of beautiful rare bird has become extinct. Still, I doubt even the mighty Wal-Mart would be strong enough to get the Acapulqueños addicted to it's low cost wares (mainly because of the large number of cheaper local alternatives and the love of many Mexicans to favor the traditional markets, I know I love them and shop at the Mexican markets and Mexican chains such as Commercial Mexicana and Gigante about 5 to 1 over Wal-Mart).
Still the power of Wal-Mart in Mexico is growing at breakneck speed, here a few facts: couple of interesting Wal-Mart facts:
- Wal-Mart came to Mexico in November 1991 with the opening of Club Aurrera in Mexico City.
- 1992-President George Bush presented Sam Walton with the Medal of Freedom on March 17.
- Wal-Mart, at $11 billion a year, earns more than Mexico's entire tourism industry.
- Wal-Mart sells some $6 billion in food a year, which is more than any of it's Mexican competitors.
- In recent years, some 585 million people shopped at Wal-Mart This is about six times the population of Mexico.
- Wal-Mart, at last count (Feb./2005), had 664 outlets in Mexico, making Wal-Mart's Mexican operations the largest save the United States itself.
- Wal-Mart sales represent about 2% of Mexico's GDP (that is Gross Domestic Product). It also makes up about 2% of U.S. GDP.
- Walmart controls about 30% of all food sales in Mexico and some 6% of all retail sales.
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| What's happening
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