Knowing the history of large companies currently led by millionaires is very helpful in understanding their progress and growth. This time, we delve into the world of Tienda de Descuento Arteli, S.A. de C.V., commonly known as Arteli, which currently belongs to the Chedraui Group.
It all began with a small store in Tampico, but its owner managed to expand to Mexico City (CDMX) and become a powerful millionaire in the discount store industry. After several years of causing headaches for other large national and international companies, he finally accepted an offer from one of his competitors.
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The story of Arturo Elizondo and the Arteli stores
The company’s name originates from that of its founder, Arturo Elizondo: Art-Eli. It was on November 15, 1978, that the company opened its first branch on Hidalgo Street in downtown Tampico, marking the beginning of its expansion within the metropolitan area and, later, in other cities in Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosí.
During the 1980s and 1990s, thanks to positive public acceptance, Arteli grew and added new branches in cities such as Ciudad Madero, Altamira, Ciudad Valles, Álamo, and Ébano.
The Sale of Arteli to Chedraui
In 2012, faced with declining revenue from its physical store, the company began offering home delivery service in some neighborhoods in the metropolitan area, progressively expanding its distribution coverage.
On December 14, 2022, Grupo Comercial Chedraui announced the acquisition of Arteli supermarkets, including its 36 stores in Tampico and Veracruz, as well as its distribution center and a food processing plant located in Tampico.
Arteli’s Four Store Formats
Arteli: This is the chain’s main format, offering a varied product offering that includes groceries, fruits and vegetables, pharmacy, bakery, and dairy products. It currently has 13 stores and competes with similar stores such as Bodega Aurrerá. Before its acquisition by Chedraui, it also competed directly with this chain. Arteli Más: This represents the largest format within the brand, offering a wider range of products. In addition to groceries, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, it also includes appliances, electronics, bakery items, pharmacy items, toys, and more. It has two locations in Tampico, Tamaulipas, and competes locally with supermarkets such as Soriana Híper.
Arteli Express: This is the chain’s smallest format, focused on offering only basic pantry staples.
AKA Superbodega: This is a type of convenience store aimed at areas with a lower-middle socioeconomic status.
Source: ambito
