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Brand Fit Snapshot

Best for:

Daily Essentials & GroceryLocal ServicesQuick-Service DiningHealth & Wellness

Not ideal if:

Large Footprint RetailDestination RetailUltra-Luxury Positioning

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Plaza Iztarú is a small neighborhood shopping center located in Cartago, Costa Rica, approximately 25 kilometers east of San Jose, near the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC), about 400 meters west of its main entrance. The property covers an estimated 5,000-10,000 square meters of gross leasable area, with around 20-30 tenants focused on daily necessities and convenience retail. It serves a local catchment area of 50,000-100,000 residents in the urban core of Cartago, a province with over 500,000 inhabitants characterized by middle-income households and a mix of agricultural, manufacturing, and educational influences.

The tenant mix emphasizes essential services: anchor Fresh Market supermarket for groceries, a pharmacy, drugstore, basic clothing stores, and casual dining options including a homemade food restaurant, sushi outlet, and cafeteria. This configuration supports quick errands rather than extended shopping trips, with limited entertainment or luxury offerings. In the broader Costa Rican retail market, Cartago represents a secondary hub outside the capital, with regional occupancy rates around 85-90% for similar small centers, driven by stable local demand but challenged by proximity to larger San Jose malls that draw higher-spending consumers.

Leasing advantages include lower rent levels compared to metropolitan areas, flexible short-term leases suitable for local independents, and proximity to student and family demographics that favor value-oriented retail. However, potential drawbacks encompass limited footfall due to absence of anchors like cinemas, competition from informal markets and e-commerce, and infrastructure constraints in an aging facility, which may require tenant investments for upkeep.

Overall, the center positions well for grocers, pharmacies, and quick-service eateries targeting budget-conscious locals, with annual sales per square meter estimated at 4,000-5,000 USD, below national averages of 6,000 USD but stable amid 1.5% population growth.

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Hours of Operation

Hours

Checking...
Monday07:00 AM — 10:00 PM
Tuesday07:00 AM — 10:00 PM
Wednesday07:00 AM — 10:00 PM
Thursday07:00 AM — 10:00 PM
Friday07:00 AM — 10:00 PM
Saturday07:00 AM — 10:00 PM
Sunday07:00 AM — 10:00 PM
Holiday Hours

Hours may vary on public holidays. Check with individual stores for specific holiday schedules.

Avenida 1, Cartago, Costa Rica

Insights

Demographic Profile

Cartagos demographic features a median age of 30-35 years, with household sizes averaging 3.1 persons and 25% tertiary education attainment, bolstered by the nearby TEC university attracting 10,000+ students annually. Median household income ranges from 800-1,500 USD monthly, supporting demand for affordable groceries, health products, and casual apparel, per regional data. However, 11% unemployment and reliance on agriculture introduce spending volatility, particularly in non-essential categories, posing risks for discretionary retailers. Retail spending per capita stands at 2,500 USD yearly, with 800 USD allocated to groceries, aligning with Plaza Iztarús convenience focus but limiting upscale opportunities.

Competitive Landscape

Local competition includes larger venues like Centro Comercial Cartago (20,000 sqm, 90-95% occupancy, 6,000-12,000 daily footfall) offering cinemas and fashion anchors, drawing 20-30% of regional traffic, while smaller plazas and street markets saturate basic grocery segments. San Jose centers such as Multiplaza Escazú siphon higher-income shoppers via superior variety. E-commerce penetration at 75% internet access adds pressure, with 15% sales via click-and-collect. Plaza Iztarús niche in proximity to TEC provides steady student traffic, but lacks differentiation, resulting in estimated 1,000-2,000 daily visitors and potential 10-15% traffic erosion from rivals.

Accessibility and Operational Quality

Situated along key routes like Ruta 10, the center benefits from good public bus connectivity to San Jose (25-minute drive) and on-site parking for 100-200 vehicles, though peak-hour congestion on local roads hampers access. Pedestrian traffic is moderate from nearby residential areas and TEC, but limited signage and aging infrastructure, including potential HVAC issues, may elevate operational costs for tenants. Security features basic guards and CCTV, with low retail crime rates. Lease terms typically span 3-5 years at 15-25 USD per sqm monthly plus 10% CAM, with inflation escalations of 3-5%, offering affordability but requiring vigilance on maintenance responsibilities amid Cartagos variable weather impacting footfall during rainy seasons.

Building Details

Property Type
Convenience
Gross Leasable Area
800
Year Built
2010
Parking Spaces
50
Average Monthly Footfall
16,667
Anchor Tenants
Fresh Market, Pharmacy

Detailed Market Analytics

Primary Catchment Area
5 km Radius
Secondary Catchment Area
20 km Radius
Catchment area population
50,000 People
Population growth rate
0.8 %
Median age
32 Years
Household size
3.1 Persons
Education level (tertiary)
26.0 %

Median household income
10,000 USD
Unemployment rate
12.0 %
Cost of living index
55 Index

Retail spending per capita
2,000 USD
Spending on apparel
366 USD
Spending on groceries
1,200 USD
Spending on electronics
200 USD

Annual foot traffic
200,000 Visitors
Dwell time
20 Minutes
Conversion rate
20.0 %
Sales per square meter
5,000 USD

Number of retail stores
12 Stores
Anchor tenant presence
Yes Presence
Competitor density (same category)
1 per 10,000 Density
Tenant diversity
Medium Level
Unique Concepts
Few Count

Gross Leasable Area
800 SQM
Number of Levels
1 Levels
Average rent per square meter
15 USD/month
Vacancy rate
5.0 %
Lease term flexibility
Standard Type
Available retail space
100 SQM

Proximity to main roads
0 km
Public transport access
High Level
Parking spaces
50 Spaces
Pedestrian traffic
High Level

E-commerce competition
Medium Level
Click-and-collect adoption
Low Level
Internet penetration
80.0 %

Retail crime rate
2 Incidents/1000 visitors
Security measures
Basic Type

Promotional events
Occasional Frequency
Loyalty program penetration
Low %
Digital signage presence
Yes Presence

Projected foot traffic growth
2.0 %
New tenant pipeline
Few Count
Mall expansion plans
nan Status
City Snapshot
Cartago

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Cartago

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