# FEMSA Restructures Retail Network While Expanding Discount Chain Bara The retail giant closes hundreds of OXXO stores and pharmacies to optimize operations. - **Source:** [Expansión](https://expansion.mx) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/6a7f70a7-7f51-4817-957c-556b3b67f0bc ## Strategic Portfolio Reorganization FEMSA has initiated a comprehensive restructuring of its retail network throughout 2026. The company reported closing 140 OXXO stores in Mexico during the third quarter alone. This move is part of a broader portfolio optimization program aimed at streamlining operations, with plans to shut down approximately 250 units by year-end. ## Financial Impact of Closures The store closure process negatively impacted the company's financial performance during the third quarter. Operational costs associated with these shutdowns reduced the operating profit of the OXXO Mexico segment by 0.20%. Without these specific expenses, the segment's operating profit would have seen an 8% increase instead of the reported 5.8% growth. ## Pharmacy Division Contraction FEMSA's health division also experienced a reduction in its physical footprint, closing 15 pharmacies in the third quarter. The decline is particularly notable in Mexico, where the count dropped from 1,315 to 1,259 units annually. This adjustment follows a strategic exit from institutional medication dispensing services in Colombia and competitive pressures in Chile. ## Fuel and European Operations The company's mobility division saw a reduction of nine gas stations, totaling 772 units by September. Meanwhile, European operations under Valora faced challenges, with the store count dropping by 0.4% due to adverse weather and railway traffic interruptions. These segments are currently navigating rising input costs and voluntary price commitment constraints. ## Bara's Aggressive Expansion In stark contrast to the closures, FEMSA is aggressively expanding its discount chain, Bara. The brand added 112 net establishments during the third quarter, reaching 898 total units by September. This represents a significant 56.7% annual growth, signaling a major strategic shift toward the discount retail format to capture market share. ## Competitive Landscape Shifts The expansion of Bara positions FEMSA directly against Tiendas 3B in the discount retail sector. While Bara added 112 stores in the third quarter, Tiendas 3B opened 141 net units during the same period. This competition highlights the growing importance of low-cost convenience models within the broader Mexican retail market landscape. ## Net Growth Despite Closures Despite the high number of closures, OXXO maintained a positive net growth trajectory. The company opened 734 new stores in the first nine months of 2026, resulting in a net increase of 462 units. By the end of September, the total number of OXXO establishments in Mexico reached 24,759, demonstrating continued overall expansion. ## Long-term Strategic Outlook FEMSA is prioritizing efficiency by pruning underperforming assets while scaling high-growth formats like Bara. This dual approach aims to improve profitability amidst rising operational costs and competitive market conditions. Investors should monitor how these structural changes influence the company's margins and market positioning throughout the remainder of the fiscal year. ## Sources covering this story - https://expansion.mx/empresas/2026/11/08/femsa-cierra-100-tiendas-oxxo-acelera-bara-tiendas-3b — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._