Background on Grupo Sanborns and Carlos Slim
Grupo Sanborns, a chain of retail stores and cafeterias owned by Mexican entrepreneur Carlos Slim, is making significant investments in technology to improve customer experience despite a weak consumer market and economic slowdown. Carlos Slim is one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, with a diverse portfolio in telecommunications, retail, and real estate sectors. His Grupo Sanborns division focuses on retail, cafeterias, and enhancing customer engagement through technological advancements.
Investment in Technology and Objectives
Arturo Spínola García, Director of Administration and Finance at Grupo Carso (the parent company of Grupo Sanborns), highlighted the company’s commitment to investing in information technology. The investment aims to improve customer experience, streamline deliveries, and optimize logistics across all establishments.
- Increased profitability: Grupo Sanborns seeks to boost profit per square meter and format in its stores.
- Brand expansion: The company aims to increase the presence of its own brands and credit business in all establishments.
- E-commerce growth: Grupo Sanborns plans to expand online sales, promote mobile app usage, and facilitate online shopping.
Performance Amidst Economic Slowdown
Despite a general slowdown in consumer spending, Grupo Sanborns managed to achieve modest sales growth of 1.9% in Q3 2025, reaching 15,850 million pesos. This growth was attributed to summer discounts and special sales for back-to-school and patriotic holidays in both department stores and restaurants.
Spínola García acknowledged the challenging credit environment but expressed confidence in the economy’s eventual recovery. He also mentioned that adjustments to credit offerings and management have led to a significant reduction in delinquency rates for department store credit cards, now at around 4%.
Store Network and Ownership
Grupo Sanborns operates a total of 459 establishments, including:
- 140 Sanborns retail stores and cafeterias
- 14 Sanborns Café outlets
- 44 Mixup stores
- 118 iShop locations
In addition, the company manages 96 Sears department stores and 47 Dax stores. Grupo Sanborns also owns the Inbursa Plaza and Loreto Plaza shopping centers.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Grupo Sanborns investing in? The company is investing heavily in information technology to enhance customer experience, streamline deliveries, and optimize logistics.
- What are Grupo Sanborns’ objectives? The company aims to increase profitability per square meter and format, expand its own brands and credit business, and grow e-commerce sales.
- How has Grupo Sanborns performed amidst the economic slowdown? Despite challenging conditions, Grupo Sanborns achieved modest sales growth of 1.9% in Q3 2025, attributed to strategic discounts and promotions. Credit delinquency rates have also been reduced through adjustments in credit offerings and management.
- What is Grupo Sanborns’ store network like? The company operates 459 establishments, including Sanborns retail stores and cafeterias, Sears and Dax department stores, as well as shopping centers Inbursa Plaza and Loreto Plaza.
