Three years ago, in the middle of the pandemic, a campaign was launched calling on all shops to stay open because many closed their businesses in that moment of fear. It was March 27, and that’s why the Ecuadorian Shopkeepers Network Association (RET) has now declared this date the National Day of Shopkeepers.

It’s a tribute to the merchants who died in the pandemic, honoring their memory and recognizing all the merchants in the country who “were heroes by keeping their businesses open during the most difficult times in the country. They worked in accordance with all the risks of the pandemic, they served us with true love for their neighbor, they tried to supply themselves in any way so that the Ecuadorian table would not lack the most important thing”, points out Guido Varela, president of the union.

Carbonated drinks are the best sellers and the hook in stores

In Ecuador, there are 130,000 neighborhood stores representing about 75% of the supply of the most basic home products. The association considers them to be one of the best examples of entrepreneurship, hard work and dedication that can be found on every corner.

RET cites the National Income and Expenditure Survey by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) which shows that 48% of household consumption expenditure across the country has shops, warehouses and distributors in the neighborhood as a place to shop.

“Shop nearby, safe shop” was launched to supply food to shops in the neighborhood

On March 27, 2020, an awareness campaign was launched with the support of consumer goods suppliers, associations and the Government of the day, in order to invite stores to continue serving the public. “And it is this successful initiative that has made traders realize the great role they play in the country’s food security.”