Nicaragua - Distribution and Sales Channels Nicaragua - Distribution Channels
Local distributors and agents generally handle distribution and sales of imported products through wholesale, self-service (supermarkets and convenience stores), and retail (“mom and pop” stores and informal vendors) channels.
More than 1,000 wholesalers operate in Nicaragua. PriceSmart operates two retail warehouse stores in Managua, and also sells wholesale. There are four major supermarket chains in Nicaragua: Palí, Maxi-Palí, La Unión, and La Colonia. Wal-Mart Central America operates the mid-range Palí and Maxi-Palí, upscale La Unión stores, and has two flagship Wal-Mart stores. La Colonia is a local chain of supermarkets located in Managua, Granada, Estelí, León and Chinandega and Matagalpa. There are also as many as 16,000 “mom and pop” stores and informal vendors that compete with larger retailers.
The Nicaraguan national highway network is composed of approximately 24,033 kilometers, including the 381 kilometers that make up the Pan-American Highway, which branches into other roads leading to different cities in the country. The Pan-American Highway is the main route for most terrestrial cargo and forms part of the road network interconnecting the largest cities on the Pacific side of Nicaragua. This Highway runs North-South along the western coast from Honduras to Costa Rica, giving Nicaragua access to the Caribbean coast seaports of Puerto Cortés in Honduras and Puerto Limón in Costa Rica. However, at times roadblocks have been used as a means of protest, which has compromised most major transportation routes, making them not consistently reliable. During major civic unrest, the roads were completely closed for several weeks, trapping trucks, drivers, and cargo.
The highway network has been substantially refurbished in recent years, including the main highways that link the capital to the Western, Central and Northern regions of the country, as well as with both international borders. The unpaved portions of the highways between Managua and the North Caribbean coast, leading to Bilwi, are more accessible during the dry season (December-April). An important secondary road exists between Managua and El Rama, the most important commercial port in the Caribbean.
On the Pacific coast, Puerto de Corinto, the largest port in the country, is equipped with two warehouses, several storage tanks, special equipment for bulk freight, one crane to handle containers, and power outlets for refrigerated containers.
The Sandino International Airport, located 13 kilometers (8 miles) from the capital, is a modern facility. The airport offers basic cargo handling, including refrigerated storage, with connections to major cities in Central America and the United States. Bluefields and Puerto Cabezas on the Caribbean coast each have a small commercial airport. There is also now an airport in Tola, Rivas for smaller private aircraft.
The Central Intelligence Agency's World FactBook provides basic information on infrastructure in Nicaragua.