Strategic Leadership Transition at Grupo Éxito as New General Manager Named for Colombia

Grupo Éxito names Juan Lucas Vega Palacio as General Manager of Colombian operations effective July 2026 following the retirement of veteran Carlos Mario Giraldo.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 30, 2026, 8:20 AM EDT

Source: ESM

Evolution of the Colombian Retail Landscape

The outgoing general manager, Carlos Mario Giraldo, leaves behind a legacy defined by modernization and digital integration. Under his leadership, Grupo Éxito successfully launched the "Éxito Wow" and "Carulla Fresh Market" formats, which revolutionized the high end grocery experience in the region. Perhaps most significantly, Giraldo oversaw the growth of digital and omnichannel sales, which now account for approximately 14% of the company’s total revenue in Colombia. This digital shift has been critical in defending market share against emerging low cost competitors and global e commerce platforms.

Real Estate Prowess and the Viva Mall Portfolio

Juan Lucas Vega Palacio brings a specialized background in property development to the general manager role, having served as the company’s real estate vice president since 2013. During his decade plus tenure, he transformed the "Viva" brand into Colombia’s premier shopping center chain. By the end of 2025, the group’s real estate assets reached a valuation of 4 trillion pesos (approximately 1 billion euros), maintaining a remarkable 98% occupancy rate across more than 807,000 square meters of leasable space. His expertise in maximizing asset value is reflected in the 80.7% EBITDA margin achieved by the Viva Malls segment.

Expanded Regional Responsibilities and Strategic Integration

In his new capacity, Vega Palacio’s mandate extends beyond the retail operations in Colombia. He will also oversee the strategic direction of real estate projects across the company’s international footprint in Uruguay and Argentina. This dual role suggests a strategy aimed at deeper integration between the company’s retail storefronts and its physical property assets. By leveraging real estate as a strategic anchor, Grupo Éxito intends to enhance foot traffic and create multi use commercial ecosystems that go beyond traditional grocery shopping.