Retail as reach / In Colombia, many office workers already sell snacks from their desks to top up their income. Makro didn’t create that behaviour – it just backed it. Deskshops give these mini side hustles a bit of polish: branded kits, better stock and a way to look more legitimate. It’s low-effort brand distribution that looks like support, not advertising.
For a brand built on bulk and big stores, it’s a smart shift. Deskshops make Makro feel closer, not just a place to stock up, but a brand that backs everyday sellers. And because each desk carries the Makro name, the brand spreads peer to peer, not through paid media. It’s a simple strategy to create visibility: be useful and find a way into people’s working lives.
Entrepreneurship by design / Deskshops lower the barrier to entry by turning everyday Colombians into sellers. No upfront costs, access to Makro’s bulk prices and a cut of the profits. It’s a way for people to earn more without taking on more risk.
That matters in a country where over half the workforce is in the informal economy (according to a 2022 OECD report). Many already resell snacks or household goods to get by. Deskshops taps into these realities with a low-barrier setup that makes informal selling easier to start and simpler to run.
For Makro, it’s smart business. More product moves, the brand shows up in everyday life and it builds loyalty by supporting the people who rely on this income.
