Without a clear understanding of the nuances of local markets, even the most sophisticated companies can fail.

Case in point: Wal-Mart. When it launched its Latin American division, it opened huge stores in Chile and Argentina, meticulously laid out according to extensively researched plans.

Unfortunately, these plans were developed in the United States, with wide isles and product placement strategies that suited Americans just fine – but felt foreign to the Latin consumer.

To make matters worse, Wal-Mart failed to account for the “installment” method of payment that is so popular in these regions. When consumers unexpectedly encountered First World payment terms in their Third World neighborhoods, they fled the mega-stores and returned to local retailers. Consequently this venture, which looked ideal on paper, failed miserable, closing doors within a matter of months.

Unfortunately, Wal-Mart is not alone; many Fortune 200 companies have met similar fates in Latin America. With 19 distinct markets to negotiate, each with its own distinctive culture, doing business in Latin America is not as simple as it seems.

Fortunately, the SDO platform now offers offshore companies a viable pathway to the Latin American consumer – one that accommodates the nuances of local cultures, because it works within local cultures. For more information, contact us.