Southland to Put Mexican Food in San Diego Stores
Southland Corp., hoping to bolster its business with Mexican-American customers, has begun offering more than 40 types of authentic Mexican food products at about 80 of its 7-Eleven convenience stores in San Diego County.
The imported food products are clustered in a specially marked part of the store called “Rincon Mexicano,” or “Mexican Corner.” The sections were added in neighborhoods with larger Mexican-American populations but might later be added in other neighborhoods, said Paul Schmitt, a 7-Eleven Stores executive in San Diego. Southland has not determined whether the new section will be added outside San Diego, Schmitt said.
Given Mexican food’s popularity among Mexican-Americans and Anglos alike, Rincon Mexicano is “simple, logical and understandable,” said Carlos E. Garcia, president of a North Hollywood-based Latino market research firm.
Los Angeles supermarkets for years have dedicated space to authentic Mexican food and condiments, but “this is the first time it’s reached a large convenience store chain,” Garcia said.
“It makes a great deal of sense, because, unless my perception is incorrect, Hispanics tend to be fairly heavy convenience store users,” said Ray Durazo,a partner with Moya, Villanueva & Durazo, a Los Angeles-based marketing firm. “It’s along the lines of Von’s Tianguis, which is aimed specifically at the Hispanic buyer.”
More to Read
Inside the business of entertainment
The Wide Shot brings you news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production — and what it all means for the future.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.