Walmart encounters a gem of growing profits in Central America

Walmart, the world’s biggest retailer, has been cutting down on expansion plans for such major markets as Brazil and the United Kingdom.

But in Central America the reverse is true. Regional unit Walmart de México y Centroamérica now accounts for one fifth of the company’s global revenue and growing.

And growth, rather than sheer volume, has made the region a hotspot for the global giant thanks to a radical shake-up that combines regular shopping with internet purchases and drive-thru areas.