Salvadoran businessman Carlos Calleja Assumes CEO Role of Grupo Éxito after Successful Acquisition
“We come to stay,” said Salvadoran businessman Carlos Calleja, signaling a long-term commitment as he assumed the position of CEO of Grupo Éxito de Colombia. Calleja’s Calleja Group, based in El Salvador, closed the purchase of Grupo Éxito, a Colombian company with operations also in Uruguay and Argentina.
The vice president of Grupo Calleja in El Salvador now takes the reins of a business group with a long history in Colombia. Calleja expressed his vision to work as a large distribution platform in Latin America, serving clients in El Salvador, Colombia, Uruguay, and Argentina.
“With great enthusiasm, faith, and hope in Colombia, and in Colombians, the Calleja Group joins the great family of Grupo Éxito,” Calleja stated in his first message released by the Success Group. He emphasized belief in the potential and promise of Colombia and its citizens, especially the Grupo Éxito team.
In December 2023, Grupo Calleja made a million-dollar offer to buy Grupo Éxito, including its operations in Uruguay and Argentina. The settlement of the sale was completed in January, and Grupo Calleja acquired most of the shares of the Colombian group.
In Uruguay, Grupo Éxito owns subsidiary Spice Investments Mercosur, which includes supermarket and warehouse chains like Grupo Disco, Devoto, and Géant. In Argentina, the company owns Libertad supermarkets and Paseo shopping centers.
Forbes magazine noted that it is the first time in Grupo Éxito’s 75-year history that a foreigner, Carlos Calleja, will lead the company. However, current leadership in Colombia, including Carlos Mario Giraldo Moreno as general manager and José Gabriel Loaiza Herrera as executive vice president, will continue under the new ownership.
The purchase of Grupo Éxito came after a preliminary agreement between French distribution company Casino and Grupo Calleja, facilitated by Cama Commercial Group Corp. based in Panama. The operation was executed through the Colombian Stock Exchange, solidifying Calleja’s position in the Colombian retail market.