Amigo Supermarkets

Puerto Rican supermarket chain

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Amigo Supermarkets" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Amigo Supermarkets

Company type| Subsidiary
Industry| Retail
Founded| 1920; 105 years ago (1920)
Headquarters| San Juan, Puerto Rico
Products| Bakery, dairy, deli, frozen foods, general grocery, meat, pharmacy, produce, seafood, snacks, liquor
Owner| Walmart (2002–2022)
Pueblo (2022-present)
Website| amigo.com

Amigo Supermarkets (Spanish: Supermercados Amigo) is a chain of supermarkets located in Puerto Rico and owned by Pueblo.

## History

[edit]

In the 1920s, Supermercados Amigo was opened by Jose Marti Fuentes. During the company's formative years, it operated small supermarkets across the island; these would be located at small strip malls. Many towns in Puerto Rico had multiple Supermercados Amigo locations.

### The transformation

[edit]

After the Grand Union and Coop Supermarkets companies ceased operations in Puerto Rico, Amigo began plans to become a major player in Puerto Rico's supermarket industry. In 1989, they opened their first major store, located at Plaza del Carmen Mall, in Caguas. Subsequently, many other major stores were opened across Puerto Rico. A massive television campaign began, and their slogan, Amigo, lo mejor al mejor precio (Amigo, the best at the best prices) became a household phrase in Puerto Rico.

### Economic problems

[edit]

Amigo ran into serious economic problems in the 1990s, most of them having to do with employee salary. As a consequence, the company began losing money. There were several strikes, and these received wide media attention.

### Walmart acquisition

[edit]

In July 2002, American retail giant Walmart purchased Supermercados Amigo,[1][2][3] in what became a controversial business move. Claims of unfair competition and monopoly were instantly made by smaller supermarkets, because Amigo would be backed by the strong assets of Walmart. As part of the agreement made in order for the purchase to take place, various supermarket locations had to be closed (specifically if there was a Walmart or Sam's Club nearby). The closed Amigos became part of a new (at the time) supermarkets company known as "SuperMax" and "Pitusa Markets".

The structure of the supermarkets themselves was not changed because of the purchase, the only exception being that now customers may pay for their purchases with their respective Sam's Club or Walmart Credit Cards.

In January 2016, Walmart announced it would close four Amigo stores (plus all three Super Ahorros stores) located throughout the island, as part of a larger wave of store closures.

### 2019 renovations

[edit]

On November 5, 2019, Amigo Supermarkets announced a renovation plan on its stores nationwide that would cost $7.8 million US dollars.[4]

### Supermercados Pueblo acquisition

[edit]

In July 2022, Walmart announced that it would sell the Amigo chain to Pueblo.[5][6][7]

In June 2022, the closing of the last Amigo supermarket by Walmart was announced, this was located in Dorado and the sale of the remaining 11 Amigo Supermarkets to Pueblo Supermarkets was announced, the brand name would remain and the 1,100 employees would keep their jobs. On August 26, 2022, the Amigo supermarkets closed their doors at 6pm to begin the transition of Matrix companies from Walmart to Pueblo, the reopening of Amigo scheduled for September 1.

As of December 2023, when one Amigo supermarket at Las Catalinas Mall in Caguas was affected by a minor fire,[8] Amigo supermarkets remained open.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Wal-Mart Puerto Rico Acquires Supermercados Amigo". Progressive Grocer. 6 February 2002.
2. ^ "Federal Register :: Request Access". Federal Register. November 27, 2002. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
3. ^ "Preserving Competition, FTC Requires Divestitures Before Allowing Wal-Mart's Acquisition of Supermercados Amigo In Puerto Rico". Federal Trade Commission. 21 November 2002. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
4. ^ "Supermercados Amigo invierte $8 millones en su remodelación". 5 November 2019.
5. ^ "Walmart vende a Supermercados Amigo". El Nuevo Día (in Spanish). July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
6. ^ Ramírez-Santos, Hernando (5 July 2022). "Walmart Puerto Rico to Sell its 11 Amigo Stores to Supermercados Pueblo". Abasto. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
7. ^ James, Chandler (July 5, 2022). "Walmart Sells Amigo Chain and Invests $57 Million in Puerto Rico; Iván Báez Shares". AndNowUKnow. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
8. ^ "Se incendia supermercado en Caguas". 23 December 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Walmart

Walton family|

| 1st generation|

* Sam Walton
* Helen Walton
* James "Bud" Walton

|

2nd generation|

* S. Robson Walton
* John T. Walton
* Christy Walton
* Jim Walton
* Alice Walton
* Ann Walton Kroenke
* Nancy Walton Laurie

3rd generation|

* Lukas Walton
* Whitney Ann Kroenke
* Josh Kroenke
* Carrie Walton Penner
* Elizabeth Paige Laurie

Chairmen|

* Sam Walton
* S. Robson Walton
* Greg Penner

President/CEO|

* Sam Walton
* David Glass
* Lee Scott
* Mike Duke
* Doug McMillon

Former execs|

* Marc Lore

Current assets|

| North America|

* Walmart Labs
* Amigo Supermarkets
* Sam's Club
* Walmart Canada
* Hayneedle

|

International|

* Bodega Aurrerá
* Bompreço
* Flipkart
* Massmart
* Seiyu
* Líder
* Walmart de México y Centroamérica

Brands|

* Sam's Choice
* White Stag

Former assets|

* Asda
* Asda Mobile
* Bare Necessities
* Bonobos
* Hypermart USA
* Jet.com
* Marketside
* Más Club
* ModCloth
* Moosejaw
* Shoes.com
* Vudu
* Yihaodian

Related|

* Shootings
* Las Vegas, Nevada (2014)
* Beavercreek, Ohio (2014)
* Thornton, Colorado (2017)
* Southaven, Mississippi (2019)
* El Paso, Texas (2019)
* Chesapeake, Virginia (2022)
* Criticism of Walmart
* Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
* People of Walmart
* History of Walmart
* List of assets owned by Walmart
* Why Wal-Mart Works; and Why That Drives Some People C-R-A-Z-Y
* Walmart greeter
* Walmarting
* Walton Enterprises

* v
* t
* e

Supermarkets in the United States

Kroger|

* Dillons
* Baker's
* Gerbes
* Food 4 Less
* Fred Meyer
* Fry's
* Harris Teeter
* King Soopers
* City Market
* Kroger
* Jay C
* Pay Less
* QFC
* Ralphs
* Roundy's
* Ruler Foods
* Smith's

Albertsons|

* Acme
* Andronico's
* Albertsons
* Balducci's
* Carrs
* Haggen
* Jewel-Osco
* Kings Super Markets
* Lucky
* Pavilions
* Randalls
* Safeway
* Shaw's and Star Market
* Super Saver
* Tom Thumb
* United Supermarkets
* Vons

United Natural Foods|

* County Market
* Cub
* Shoppers

Ahold Delhaize|

* Food Lion
* Giant Food
* Giant Food Stores
* Hannaford
* Stop & Shop

Save Mart|

* Save Mart Supermarkets
* Lucky Stores
* Lucky California
* Food Maxx
* MaxxValue Foods

Amazon|

* Amazon Fresh
* Amazon Go
* Whole Foods

SpartanNash|

* D&W Fresh Market
* Family Fare
* Martin's Super Markets
* No Frills Supermarkets

Other national|

* Aldi
* Trader Joe's
* Costco
* Comissary/DeCa (military)
* The Fresh Market
* IGA
* Save-A-Lot
* Sprouts
* Target
* Walmart
* Sam's Club

Regional|

| Asian|

* 99 Ranch Market
* Great Wall Supermarket
* H Mart
* Hong Kong Supermarket
* Island Pacific Supermarket
* Kam Man Food
* Marukai
* Mitsuwa Marketplace
* Nijiya Market
* Patel Brothers
* Seafood City
* SF Supermarket
* Uwajimaya
* Zion Market

|

Hispanic|

* Bravo
* El Ahorro Supermarket
* Fiesta Mart
* La Perla Tapatía Supermarkets
* Sedano's
* Supermercados Teloloapan
* Vallarta Supermarkets

Organic|

* Earth Fare
* Fresh Thyme
* Natural Grocers

Wholesale|

* BJ's Wholesale Club
* Chef'Store

Other
regional|

* Acme Fresh Market
* Amigo
* Big Y
* Boyer's
* Bristol Farms
* Brookshire Brothers
* Brookshire's Food & Pharmacy
* Buehler's
* C-Town
* Central Market
* D'Agostino
* Dave's Markets
* Dean & DeLuca
* DeMoulas Market Basket
* Dierbergs
* Don Quijote
* Times Supermarkets
* Dorothy Lane Market
* Fairway Market
* Fareway
* Farm Fresh
* Festival Foods
* Festival Foods (Minnesota)
* Food Giant
* Food City
* Foodarama
* FoodLand
* Foodtown
* Pathmark
* Gelson's
* Gerland Corporation
* Gerrity's
* Giant Eagle
* Grand Union
* Gristedes
* Grocery Outlet
* Harmons
* Harps Food Stores
* H-E-B
* Heinen's
* Highland Park Market
* Homeland
* Hornbacher's
* Houchens
* Hugo's
* Hy-Vee
* Ingles
* Jerry's Foods
* Jungle Jim's International Market
* Karns Quality Foods
* Key Food
* Super Fresh
* The Food Emporium
* KJ's Market
* King Kullen
* Kowalski's Markets
* Kuhn's Quality Foods
* Lewis Food Town
* Lidl
* Lowe's Market
* Lowes Foods
* Lucky's Market
* Lunds & Byerlys
* Magruder's
* Marc's
* Market Basket (Louisiana and Texas)
* Market of Choice
* Masons Red Owl
* Meijer
* Met Foods
* Mollie Stone's Markets
* Morton Williams
* Mother's Market & Kitchen
* New Grand Mart
* New Seasons Market
* Niemann Foods
* Northeast Grocery
* Tops Friendly Markets
* Price Chopper Supermarkets
* Market 32
* Nugget Markets
* PCC Community Markets
* Petrini's
* Piggly Wiggly
* Pink Dot
* Price Chopper / Price Mart
* Publix
* Pueblo
* Raley's Supermarkets
* AJ's Fine Foods
* Bashas'
* Reasor's
* Redner's Markets
* Remke Markets
* Rice Epicurean Markets
* Ridley's Family Markets
* Roche Bros.
* Rosauers Supermarkets
* Rouses
* Russ's Market
* Schnucks
* Scolari's Food and Drug
* Seabra Foods
* Sellers Bros.
* Sendik's Food Market
* Sentry Foods
* Seven Mile Market
* Shop 'n Save
* Smart & Final
* Southeastern Grocers
* Harveys Supermarkets
* Winn-Dixie
* Stater Bros.
* Stew Leonard's
* Strack & Van Til
* Straub's Markets
* Sullivan Family of Companies
* Foodland Hawaii
* Supermercados Econo
* Supermercados Selectos
* Super Dollar Discount Foods
* Super King Markets
* Super One Foods
* Super Saver Foods (B&R Stores)
* United Grocery Outlet
* URM Stores
* Wakefern
* The Fresh Grocer
* Price Rite
* ShopRite
* Weaver Street Market
* Wegmans
* Weis Markets
* Westborn Market
* Western Beef
* WinCo Foods
* Woodman's Markets
* Yoke's Fresh Market
* Zabar's
* Zupan's Markets

Defunct|

* 365 by Whole Foods Market
* A-Mart
* A&P
* Food Basics
* Pathmark
* Waldbaum's
* ABCO Foods
* Alpha Beta
* AppleTree Markets
* Belle Foods
* Best Market
* Big Bear Stores
* Big Star Markets
* Bloom
* Bottom Dollar Food
* Bruno's
* Buttrey Food & Drug
* Byrd's
* Carter's Foods
* Chatham
* Clemens Markets
* Colonial Stores
* Dahl's Foods
* Daniel Reeves Stores
* David's Supermarkets
* Davis Food City
* Delchamps
* Dick's Supermarket
* Dominick's
* Eagle Food Centers
* Easy-Way Store
* Eberhard's
* Eisner Food Stores
* Farmer Jack
* Fazio's Shopping Bag
* Felpausch
* Finast
* Fisher Foods
* Food Fair
* Food World
* Food-a-rama
* Fresh & Easy
* Furr's
* Genuardi's
* Giant Open Air
* Glen's Markets
* Hamady
* Henry's Farmers Market
* Hills Supermarkets
* Hinky Dinky
* Jewel T
* Jitney Jungle
* Johnnie's Foodmaster
* Kohl's Food Stores
* Kessel Food Markets
* Laneco
* Market Basket (California)
* Marketside
* Mars
* Marsh Supermarkets
* Más Club
* Mi Pueblo Food Center
* Minyard Food Stores
* National Supermarkets
* National Tea
* Omni Superstore
* Owen's
* Penn Fruit
* Penn Traffic
* Pick-N-Pay Supermarkets
* Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co.
* Plus
* Purity Supreme
* Quality Markets
* QFI
* Rainbow Foods
* Red Food
* Reid's
* SaveRite
* Sage's
* Schaffer Stores Company
* Scott's
* Seaway Food Town
* Seessel's
* Shop 'n Save
* Simon David
* Skaggs Companies
* Southern Family Markets
* Stanley Stores
* Sunflower Farmers Market
* Sunflower Market
* Super Duper
* Sweetbay Supermarket
* Tidyman's
* Twin Valu
* Ukrop's Super Markets
* Valu King
* Victory Supermarkets
* Weingarten's
* Wild Oats Markets
* Xpect Discounts

* List of supermarket chains in the United States

Portals:

* Supermarkets
* Puerto Rico
* Companies
* Food

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template