Despite its Hopper-esque aura, this photograph fills some of my expatriate friends with horror. It is the very symbol of the Antichrist in corporate form.
Let me give you a little background.
In my neck of the beach, there are very few convenience stores. Shopping is a chore. But a social chore.
Preparing an afternoon meal often means visiting three or more specialty shops. Tortillas at one stand. Vegetables at the corner grocery. Pork at the butcher.
Very European. Simply part of the culture that is Mexico.
But Mexico, like the rest of the world, has discovered time is a fixed asset. Time spent shopping is time taken away from earning money or enjoying oneself (and often the two are the same thing).
Mexico is a middle income nation, and a large portion of its population is joining its middle class. Those are the people who start looking for convenience stores -- both for status and time.
On my visits to Manzanillo, I have seen Mexican convenience stores (Kioska, Oxxo) mixed in with north of the border favorites (Walmart, Office Depot, KFC).
If you walked into an Oxxo store, you could easily imagine that you were in a 7-11 -- except Oxxos are far cleaner than 7-11s. You can buy a wiener warming itself on hot rollers, soft drinks, chips, and small jars of the type of things you need in a hurry.
Every time I walk into one of the Manzanillo Oxxos, the place is abuzz with young Mexicans driving nice cars.
But they did not exist north of Manzanillo to my home. Until now.
Recently, two Oxxos and a Kioska opened in the neighboring village of Barra de Navidad. The village is a middle class area. The fact that three convenience stores showed up within weeks of each other is testament to that.
Their presence has scandalized some of my Canadian and American friends. The fear is that the little corner grocery store run by an aged widow will be run out of business.
But, I doubt it. Expatriates will continue to patronize the boutique stores for their atmosphere. We can afford to pay for shabby chic.
But, as Mexicans become wealthier, they are going to want better prices, better services, and more convenience. The search for excellence is what will destroy the local store.
So far, no one has targeted my poor little village for a corporate convenience store. So, the poor in my neighborhood will go on paying too much money for the inconvenience.
I suppose it is just a matter of time.
Let me give you a little background.
In my neck of the beach, there are very few convenience stores. Shopping is a chore. But a social chore.
Preparing an afternoon meal often means visiting three or more specialty shops. Tortillas at one stand. Vegetables at the corner grocery. Pork at the butcher.
Very European. Simply part of the culture that is Mexico.
But Mexico, like the rest of the world, has discovered time is a fixed asset. Time spent shopping is time taken away from earning money or enjoying oneself (and often the two are the same thing).
Mexico is a middle income nation, and a large portion of its population is joining its middle class. Those are the people who start looking for convenience stores -- both for status and time.
On my visits to Manzanillo, I have seen Mexican convenience stores (Kioska, Oxxo) mixed in with north of the border favorites (Walmart, Office Depot, KFC).
If you walked into an Oxxo store, you could easily imagine that you were in a 7-11 -- except Oxxos are far cleaner than 7-11s. You can buy a wiener warming itself on hot rollers, soft drinks, chips, and small jars of the type of things you need in a hurry.
Every time I walk into one of the Manzanillo Oxxos, the place is abuzz with young Mexicans driving nice cars.
But they did not exist north of Manzanillo to my home. Until now.
Recently, two Oxxos and a Kioska opened in the neighboring village of Barra de Navidad. The village is a middle class area. The fact that three convenience stores showed up within weeks of each other is testament to that.
Their presence has scandalized some of my Canadian and American friends. The fear is that the little corner grocery store run by an aged widow will be run out of business.
But, I doubt it. Expatriates will continue to patronize the boutique stores for their atmosphere. We can afford to pay for shabby chic.
But, as Mexicans become wealthier, they are going to want better prices, better services, and more convenience. The search for excellence is what will destroy the local store.
So far, no one has targeted my poor little village for a corporate convenience store. So, the poor in my neighborhood will go on paying too much money for the inconvenience.
I suppose it is just a matter of time.
