Coppel S.A. de C.V.

completed

Coppel is a retail chain based in Culiacan, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The Company has a strong presence in Mexico, as it currently operates 132 stores, located in 22 Mexican states. Coppel currently offers a wide variety of products including electrical equipment, electronics, furniture, and apparel. Its target customers are the low to middle income segment of the population. As a second-tier retail chain, Coppel needs to formalize its business and improve its corporate governance in order to foster the credibility needed to become a successful national chain. IFC can provide added value to the Company by: (i) providing advice on how to formalize and enhance its existing credit program; (ii) introducing international industry best practices to further improve its operations; (iii) providing the necessary long-term financing for its investment program; and by (iv) helping to set up social and environmental policies that comply with World Bank Group standards.The project is expected to: (i) improve the living standards of the lower social segments of Mexico by extending the Company''s credit program to cover other parts of the country; (ii) create new job opportunities; and (iii) bring about training opportunities in retailing to new employees, particularly those in less developed states.