Grupo Éxito's CEO, Carlos Calleja, did not rule out international expansion this year during the group's earnings presentation. He confirmed that in 2026 they will launch a more aggressive strategy for growth in store square footage. He highlighted Colombia as the economic engine and Uruguay as the most stable market.
During the earnings call on Thursday, January 26, Carlos Calleja, CEO of Grupo Éxito, shared details on the group's plans for 2026, building on strong 2025 results. Calleja stressed that Colombia drives the conglomerate's economic growth, while Uruguay stands as its most stable market. This stability prompted a US$2.6 million investment in a new store in Uruguay, opened on December 17.
Fernando Carbajal, the group's CFO, reported a 5.5% sales increase in Uruguay, with recurrent EBITDA rising 14.9%. Total sales there grew 1.9% from 2024, reaching $4.1 billones.
Amid operations in Colombia, Uruguay, and Argentina, Calleja did not dismiss international expansion this year. For 2026, they aim for a more aggressive pursuit of opportunities in store square footage. "Yes, we have some ideas, we have, I'd say, maybe a little list of things that might interest us. I'm not going to share it now, but we are looking outward," the executive remarked.
The group will also prioritize its real estate business. In Colombia, they plan a US$120 million investment in the Viva Suba shopping center in northeast Bogotá. In Uruguay, they are evaluating real estate projects to leverage their strengths. Calleja and Carbajal voiced satisfaction with 2025 sales, noting the Black Friday campaign from November 14 to December 2, which generated $27,000 million—the most successful in the group's history.
