The Fresh Market has announced an investment plan of about $600 million for 2026, with seven new The Fresh Market stores planned.
The announcement came during Cencosud’s Cenco Day 2026 event, held for the first time in Buenos Aires, where Cencosud shared its outlook for the year ahead. For 2026, the company expects consolidated revenues of $18.4 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $1.8 billion, with double-digit margins in Chile, Peru and the United States.
Seventy percent of the capital expenditure will be allocated to growth initiatives, primarily new store openings, renovations and expansions of shopping centers. During 2026, Cencosud expects to open 20 new stores across various formats, adding more than 42,000 square meters of sales floor space. Of those, 17 will be supermarkets, including seven The Fresh Market stores in the U.S.
The remainder of the investment will focus on strengthening Cencosud’s retail ecosystem, accelerating digital transformation, expanding e-commerce and the retail media business and enhancing logistics and operational capabilities.
The Greensboro, North Carolina-based specialty grocer has been on a growth trajectory. By the end of April, The Fresh Market had opened 12 new stores in six months, including locations in Jensen Beach, Florida; Wethersfield, Connecticut; Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; and Algonquin, Illinois.
The company currently operates 172 stores across 22 states, with a strong presence in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia.
Cencosud acquired a 67 percent stake in The Fresh Market in 2022 for $676 million, marking its entry into the U.S. market. In September, the company acquired the remaining 33 percent stake from Apollo Global Management for $295 million, gaining full ownership of the chain.
“The supermarket business in the United States has shown positive performance and is projected toward a new stage of growth, which we are deeply excited about,” Rodrigo Larraín, CEO of Cencosud, said upon completing the full acquisition.
The Fresh Market has been recognized as “America’s Best Supermarket” by USA Today for four consecutive years. Founded in 1982 by Ray and Beverly Berry, the chain specializes in high-quality fresh produce, premium meats, seafood, baked goods, prepared foods and specialty items.
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