Handicrafts do not stand on hangers yet 

The attempt to introduce a greater number of artisanal products in supermarkets hangers throws its first figures: in one year and five months, supermarket chains acquired about $ 800 million in artisanal products; however, there is still expectation that this figure grows.

According to the Superintendency of Control of Market Power (SCPM), so far, 50% of supermarket chains would be complying with the commercial manual, which requires that 14% of the exhibition of their products on hangers come from the Popular and Solidarity economy sector. This is a plan that has been applied for more than a year ago; however, the owners of these big stores say they still have problems to comply.

Byron Orellana, manager of the Orellana supermarkets, says that it is still difficult to find good suppliers. “If there are good suppliers, not everyone have the capacity to supply the market or they do not meet certain requirements, such as the transit lights (nutritional) on their labels, for example.” In his case, he says, they have been able to achieve an inclusion of 10%, with the purchase of sauces, condiments and dressings. It is difficult to find “other products such as salt, sugar, oil.”