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Are
Here To
Stay
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"Pulperias"
Are
Here To
Stay
Despite the increase in competition by the
supermarket chains, pulperias and minisupers
are not on their way out as some thought,
nor are they flinching in the face the large
retailers, as Ticos prefer the personal
attention, convenience and low prices
provided by the corner stores.
According to the Cámara de Detallistas
(Chamber of Retailers) there were 17.300
such corner stores around the country, an
average of 200 per canton.
Cinthya Zapata, director fo Oficina de Apoyo
al Consumidor, said that her group has found
that pulperias are very competitive in
prices with the major chains and play a very
important social role.
Some pulperias and minisupers have just
about everything that a big retail store may
offer and many times offer items that are
not carried by the big stores.
As well at a pulperia one can buy just one
egg and not the whole dozen. This is
extremely helpful for those who are paid
daily or weekly, not having the available
cash to make big purchases.
The pulperias also offer familiarity. Many
are run by entire families, who also live in
the vicinity of the store.
And many pulperias and minisupers now also
offer their customers to pay with debit and
credit cards, thanks to promotions like that
offered by Credomatic to affiliate small
corner stores with credit card processing.
The installation of the technology also
allows now customers to pay their utility
bills at pulperias. Danny González, director
de Comunicación del Banco Nacional,
explained that currently 596 corner stores
are tied in to the "BN servicios", offering
the same payment options by the large retail
stores.
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