Why Coppel Rules Mexico's Retail Market:

A Success Story 80+ Years in the Making

Mexican retail success stories - the one name that towers above the rest is Coppel. This is not another department store chain; this is a retail phenomenon that has revolutionized the way millions of Mexicans shop, save, and obtain financial services.

From Humble Beginnings to Retail Empire

Imagine this: back in 1941, Luis Coppel Rivas and Enrique Coppel Tamayo, father and son, began with a small gift shop named "El Regalo" in Culiacán, offering radios and watches. Roll forward to present times, and Coppel is now Mexico's largest private retailer with almost 1,900 stores located in more than 600 cities and towns.

What adds to the amazing growth tale is that the company has always been responsive to evolving times while remaining loyal to its fundamental purpose of empowering Mexican families in need of convenient shopping and financial options.

The Game-Changing Credit Revolution

This is where Coppel truly becomes clever at knowing Mexican consumers. During World War II, the founders observed an important fact - individuals could not pay cash for household appliances and furniture, but had stable incomes. Hence, they developed an innovative credit system of weekly payments, which allowed quality goods to be purchased by working-class families who were neglected by mainstream retailers.

This was not only good business; it was financial inclusion even before the term was coined. Now, BanCoppel has more than 3 million customers who have never had access to formal banking before, contributing to the narrowing of the gap for Mexico's underbanked. 

Why Mexicans Prefer Coppel Over Others

Unparalleled Store Network

While their competitors concentrate on big cities, Coppel penetrates rural and semi-rural towns that others miss. They operate in more than 600 cities and are, in many cases, the sole large retailer in small Mexican towns.

All Under One Roof

Coppel has a staggering range - from home furnishings and electronics to clothing, shoes, and motorcycles. And, to boot, customers can transact banking, loans, and bill payments all under one roof.

Flexible Payment Plans

The iconic weekly payment system still rules. People can purchase a new TV, sofa, or smartphone and pay for it over time, making unaffordable purchases.

Digital Transformation That Actually Works

Unlike many traditional retailers struggling with online sales, Coppel has embraced digital innovation smartly. Their mobile app doesn't just sell products - it's a complete financial hub where customers can check account balances, apply for loans, and manage payments.

In the pandemic, Coppel experienced 300% of digital sales growth and 204% growth of online loans, which shows that their online strategy works for Mexican consumers. They even received an award as the 2022 eCommerce MX Awards winner of the best retail company in Mexico.

Sustainability and Community Impact

Coppel demonstrates how successful business and eco-friendliness go together. The firm has saved an incredible amount of water, 399,600 square meters, at 900 branches over a period of nine years. They have also lessened CO2 emissions by 15,000 tons through reducing transport fleet emissions.

But it's their dedication to the education of employees that truly impresses. Coppel offers a 50% education allowance for employees and their families, from daycare to university tuition. In 2023-2024, nearly 20,000 employees took up this benefit - that's real investment in Mexican families.

Smart Growth Strategy for the Future

Coppel isn't taking things easy. The retailer unveiled a $690 million investment in 2025, including the opening of 100 new stores and the renovation of existing stores. They're adding new distribution facilities to meet expanding online sales.

Chairman Agustín Coppel Luken says it best: "How people shop in one nation is completely different from how they shop in another." This realization of distinctly Mexican consumers' behavior is the reason that Coppel thrives when global competitors falter.

The BanCoppel Advantage

This is something that the competition cannot duplicate - bundled banking. BanCoppel has over 1,300 branches and 1,900+ ATMs, providing everything from credit cards to international money transfers. For most Mexicans, this is their first and only banking relationship.

The brilliance lies in the integration. Consumers are not only purchasing products; they're establishing credit history and financial stability through their relationship with Coppel. This builds phenomenally strong customer loyalty that mere retailers can never attain.

Proven Track Record During Challenges

Even in challenging economic times, Coppel is delivering. The company recorded 7.1% retail sales growth in 2024, far exceeding overall market trends. Global retail rankings by Deloitte indicate Coppel rose 40 places over the course of a single year, from 153rd to 113th largest retailers globally.

Coppel's success is no fluke - it's the culmination of 80+ years of knowledge of Mexican households, groundbreaking financial inclusion, thoughtful expansion, and real dedication to serving communities across Mexico. As other retailers make appearances and disappear, Coppel keeps expanding because it gets down to solving authentic problems for actual Mexican households, installment by installment.