Do It Center Aruba has announced a strategic alliance agreement with Exito, a Colombian enterprise with French financing and currently the largest retail group in Colombia, employing around 37,000 people. This partnership will allow Do It Center to access different products from Latin America at a more affordable price and expand its offerings to the people of Aruba.
Frans Ponson, co-owner & CEO of Do It Center, highlighted the significance of this agreement and the company's evolution from a General Store to the first Super Do It Center in the world. With direct contact to factories for product customization, the collaboration will enable Do It Center to offer high-quality products at competitive prices. The Ponson family is committed to serving the Aruban community with greater options and possibilities.
Lurent Guy Zecri, Corporate Manager of Strategic Alliances at Grupo Exito, stated that the agreement is important for Aruba as it will provide access to a new market. Aruba currently purchases products from the US and Europe, but the production capacity in Latin America is much cheaper, which can help with inflation. With Exito's product lines, customers at Do It Center Aruba can find everything they need, from food, beauty products, and alcohol, to technology and household items.
The history of Eric Ponson in Aruba dates back many years, starting as an employee at General Store, a company that has been in existence for over a century. In 2010, the first Do it Center was opened in Camacuri, becoming an international Hardware Store brand. In 2017, the first Super Do it Center was created, combining a hardware store and a supermarket. Today, with over 200 employees, the business continues to operate with the same concept, only adding Exito's product lines to their variety. The Ponson family is confident that this collaboration will enable them to offer more and better products at a more competitive price, and they are looking forward to continuing to serve the Aruban community with high-quality products at affordable prices.