Vima begins brand withdrawal from retail stores in Cuba

The Spanish company Vima, a partner of the Cuban corporation Gaesa, has begun withdrawing its brand presence from retail locations in Cuba. At a store located at Infanta and Santa Marta in Centro Habana, corporate signage has been removed from both the facade and the interior.

Employees at the establishment confirmed that the company is in the process of withdrawing, though they could not specify a timeline or a successor entity. While Vima products remain on the shelves, they are limited to canned and packaged goods; fresh food sections, such as the meat department, were reported as empty. The store, which opened in January as one of the first food outlets accepting only US dollars, has faced significant operational challenges, including frequent power outages and connectivity issues that prevent card payments.

Although the brand is disappearing from storefronts, Vima's broader operations in Cuba appear to be in a state of transition rather than total closure. The company's warehouses on the Berroa highway near Havana still show signs of activity, with some facilities containing merchandise and staff, while others remain empty. This development contrasts with previous official reports from May 2024 that suggested Vima would manage up to 20 commercial outlets across the island.