News

Internet kiosk plan goes national in Mexico

February 20, 2002

MEXICO CITY - Having successfully launched a line of Internet-access kiosks in retail stores in Mexico City, Mexican Internet portal Todito.com and retailer and financial services company Grupo Elektra are taking the project to the rest of the Latin American nation. Todito and Grupo Elektra announced on Dec. 10 the expansion of Todito's kiosk program to 660 Grupo Elektra stores throughout Mexico.

The kiosks sell computers and Todito's pre-paid Internet connection services. Grupo Elektra shoppers can purchase Internet service using the company's credit service.

The nationwide rollout is part of a five-year strategic alliance between Todito and Grupo Elektra launched in May of 2000. Two months after the agreement was reached, Todito rolled out Internet kiosks in 10 Elektra stores in Mexico City.

Elektra chief executive officer Javier Sarro said the alliance made sense given the technological landscape in Mexico.

"Mexico's low PC penetration, only nine percent of Mexican homes, compared to 50 percent in the U.S., represents a great opportunity for Elektra," Sarro said in a news release. "Access to the Internet is the main driver of demand for PCs."