Colombia's shift to hard‑discount supermarkets transforms household spending

A Bancolombia study led by Laura Clavijo finds Colombian households are changing their shopping habits. Consumers now make fewer store visits but spend more per trip, prioritising low‑price brands and hard‑discount formats. Between 2019 and 2026, the share of household expenditure in hard‑discount channels rose from 21 % to 55 %, while premium formats declined sharply.

The trend is driven by tighter budgets, price pressures from the upcoming El Niño phenomenon, gradual job recovery, the geographic expansion of discount formats and greater digitalisation of commerce. The research suggests the shift could accelerate if inflation on food and basic goods increases, reinforcing the move toward cost‑effective purchasing.

The findings highlight a structural transformation in Colombia’s mass‑consumer market, reshaping competition among supermarkets and influencing future retail strategies.