Two ways into Mexico, one construction partner
An international brand enters Mexico one of two ways. The first is direct: headquarters opens its own operation and its expansion team contracts construction. That is how we built the first Mexican stores for Forever 21, Old Navy and Suit Supply.
The second is through a local operator or franchisee — groups such as Alsea or Grupo Axo — that acquires the brand rights and contracts the work in Mexico. That is how we built the first stores for Rapsodia, BCBG, Brunello Cucinelli and Diesel.
In both cases the scope is the same: we take the brand prototype or manual, turn it into a buildable Mexican construction-document set with local engineering, and hand over a space ready to operate. The team abroad deals with one accountable partner.
From global prototype to opening day
- Global prototypeDesign manual, prototype, specifications and brand standards as defined by headquarters.
- Local adaptationTranslation into Mexican construction documents: mall and landlord requirements, local codes, materials and suppliers available in the country.
- EngineeringElectrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas, kitchen extraction, low voltage and special systems, calculated to Mexican standards.
- ProcurementPurchasing and scheduling of materials, imported and off-the-shelf equipment, and specialist subcontractors by market.
- ConstructionExecution with in-house supervision, budget and schedule control, progress reporting and landlord coordination.
- OpeningTesting, commissioning, punch list, close-out documentation and handover of a site ready to operate on the committed date.
What a general contractor coordinates in Mexico
- Adaptation construction documents: the brand design translated into buildable drawings with Mexican construction detailing.
- Engineering to local code: systems calculated to Mexican official standards (NOM) and utility-company requirements for power, gas and water.
- Mall or landlord rules: drawing review, working hours, access, logistics, insurance and bonds required by each property.
- Permitting coordination and advisory: permits are typically obtained by the client or landlord; we advise, coordinate and, when needed, coordinate an external expediter.
- Procurement: brand-approved suppliers, equivalent local substitutes and logistics for imported equipment.
- Specialist subcontractors by market, with capacity to run several cities at once.
- Schedule and opening date: the calendar is set by the brand and the landlord; construction is organized around that date.
- Furniture and equipment coordination with specialist manufacturers through installation and start-up.
- Handover and documentation: as-built drawings, manuals, warranties and administrative close-out.
International brands that have built with us
| Brand | Origin | Entry into Mexico | Units built | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tommy Hilfiger | USA | Multi-unit program | 140 (16 stores + 124 shop-in-shops) | Construction |
| Chili's | USA | First restaurant in Mexico | 52 | Construction |
| H&M | Sweden | First expansion phase | 16 | Construction |
| Planet Fitness | USA | First location in Mexico | 14 | Construction |
| Forever 21 | USA | First store in Mexico | 10 | Construction and prototype adaptation |
| Old Navy | USA | First store in Mexico | 10 | Construction |
| Rapsodia | Argentina | First store in Mexico | 9 | Construction |
| Guess | USA | Multi-unit program | 7 | Construction |
| BCBG | USA | First store in Mexico | 7 | Construction |
| Starbucks | USA | Multi-unit program | 7 | Construction |
| Hugo Boss | Germany | Multi-unit program | 6 | Construction |
| Ben & Jerry's | USA | Multi-unit program | 5 | Construction |
| Armani Exchange | Italy | Multi-unit program | 4 | Construction |
| Diesel | Italy | First store in Mexico | 4 | Construction |
| P.F. Chang's | USA | First expansion phase | 3 | Construction |
| Hooters | USA | First restaurant in Mexico | 3 | Construction |
| Koaj | Colombia | Multi-unit program | 2 | Construction |
| Brunello Cucinelli | Italy | First store in Mexico | 2 (1 store + 1 shop-in-shop) | Construction |
| Chipotle | USA | First restaurant in Mexico | 1 | Construction |
| Suit Supply | Netherlands | First store in Mexico | 1 | Construction |
| Benetton | Italy | — | 1 | Construction |
"Construction" scope: work executed on the brand's own design or prototype. "Construction and prototype adaptation": we also developed the adaptation construction documents. Design-build and turnkey delivery are available as a capability for brands that require them.
Coverage
We have the infrastructure to build anywhere in Mexico. We have built in more than 20 cities: Mexico City and the State of Mexico, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Tijuana, Puebla, Querétaro, Toluca, Lerma, San Luis Potosí, Celaya, Irapuato, Morelia, Cuernavaca, Culiacán, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Acapulco, Veracruz, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mérida, Tuxtla Gutiérrez and Aguascalientes.
One accountable partner
For an expansion team working from New York, Stockholm or Milan, the value is not each trade on its own: it is a single point of contact who answers for the construction documents, the engineering, procurement, the build and the opening.
Frequently asked questions
How do international brands build stores in Mexico?
They typically hand their prototype or brand manual to a local general contractor, who adapts it into Mexican construction documents, develops the engineering to national code, coordinates the mall requirements and executes the work. Arquiconceptos has done exactly that for more than 20 international brands, including the first Mexican store of 11 of them.
Who can adapt a global retail prototype for Mexico?
A contractor with in-house architecture and engineering. Arquiconceptos has more than 100 professionals — architects, engineers and designers — who turn the brand manual into buildable drawings, equivalent specifications available in Mexico and systems calculated to local code.
Who can manage retail roll-outs across Mexico?
Arquiconceptos has delivered 302 units within multi-unit programs: 140 Tommy Hilfiger points of sale, 52 Chili's, 16 H&M, 14 Planet Fitness and 10 Forever 21 among others, across more than 20 cities, with capacity to run more than 10 simultaneous projects.
What does a general contractor in Mexico coordinate?
The adaptation construction documents, the engineering, mall or landlord requirements, permitting coordination, procurement of materials and equipment, specialist subcontractors, the construction schedule, furniture and the documented handover of the site.
How are international brand standards adapted to Mexican construction requirements?
Brand image, finishes and customer experience are preserved; what code and market require is adjusted: systems calculated to NOM standards, materials with approved local equivalents, civil-protection and mall requirements, and construction details that Mexican crews can execute.
Do you work directly with headquarters or with the operator in Mexico?
Both. We have been contracted directly by headquarters (Forever 21, Old Navy, Suit Supply) and by local operators and franchisees (Rapsodia, BCBG, Brunello Cucinelli, Diesel). The process and the accountable team are the same.