Dutch high street retailer Hema plans to open 10 branches in Mexico this year in the company’s first physical foray into the American continent.

Within a few years, Hema says it hopes to have 200 stores in Mexico, which is an interesting location because of its ‘strategic location’ and ‘rapidly growing middle class’.

Hema is working with two new franchise partners, Ensueño Group and Modatelas Group, to roll out its Mexican operation. The company earlier launched an alliance with US supermarket giant Walmart to sell its products via the Walmart website.

Hema now has some 800 shops in 12 different countries. It took its first step outside Europe in 2018 when it opened a shop in the UAE.