Peru’s development is to be primarily attributed to an ambitious public investment programme promoted by the Humala government. Recent slowdowns in the growth rate notwithstanding, it has proven to be a driving force for the country’s economy, allowing Peru to present itself as the new South American locomotive of development. Said progress initiates from the agribusiness sector, thanks to the abundance of raw materials. Not surprisingly, Peru is among the top ten exporters in the world. Leaving behind the hardships recorded during the years of the global economic crisis, the GDP has now levelled off at 4%, while inflation has been at a stable 3.3% for five years. This stands in stark contrast to what is happening in neighbouring countries. Lima, which has become an international metropolis with more than 10 million inhabitants and an urbanisation rate that is among the highest of the continent, is the symbol and key protagonist of the Peruvian economic miracle.
RETAIL – In grocery retail, the competitive environment is undergoing a gradual affirmation of modern distribution, even if traditional retailers still hold on to the largest portion of the market share driven by cultural factors and convenience. At a joint turnover of 81% and 21% of total sales of grocery, the success of the big players Supermercados Peruanos, Cencosud and Falabella, counts as an aggressive expansion policy in the capital city and the high income provincial areas. This has been made possible by the opening of different formats and the proposal of special offers to customers using a credit card for their purchases. There are big opportunities for traditional Italian products, which are already quite well-represented in different chains accompanied by an unmistakeably Italian-sounding component, particularly in the cheese sector. Products originating from Italy are to be found on the shelves of supermarkets extending from Orion Supermercados, in the city of Cusco, to Supermercados La Inmaculadain Tarapoto, until Supermercado Vivandaand Wongin Lima. The product range includes Barilla pasta and tomato sauces, as well as San Benedetto mineral water.