Welcome to a new edition of Zoom to the MarketWe always keep our radar on and attentive to trends, because we like to be where the action is.
In this installment, we bring you a new development that promises to shake up the commercial landscape in the country: the arrival in Venezuela of SmartFit The Brazilian giant, ranked as the fourth largest gym chain in the world and the undisputed leader in Latin America, has opened its first location in Chacaíto, adding Venezuela to its market as its 17th and opening a new chapter in the local fitness sector.
Beyond a simple opening, the arrival of SmartFit introduces a model of low cost and high volume ( low-cost ) which shakes up the competition. As their voices indicated when speaking of "democratizing high-quality fitness" Their proposal aims to democratize access to top-tier facilities—featuring cutting-edge technology, spacious training areas, and wellness zones—at competitive rates and under strict international standards. This movement not only pressures chains and independent gyms to redefine their value propositions, prices, and services to retain their members, but also opens the door to a massive segment of the population that previously viewed high-end gyms as an exclusive privilege.
But that's not all we have on our radar this week. In our tour of the shelves, we'll show you the latest arrivals. Maggi and we crossed the Atlantic to Germany to analyze the presentation of PHOTON at the IAA Transportation 2026 trade fair in Hanover, where the firm revealed its global strategy towards 2030 driven by electromobility, hydrogen and artificial intelligence.
Get comfortable and join us to discover everything that's driving the market in this edition, because
🔥The hottest
💪🏻✨SmartFit arrives in Venezuela with its model low-cost to revolutionize the fitness market
Brazilian company SmartFit, the world's fourth largest gym chain and a leader in Latin America, opened its first unit in Venezuela on Monday, a milestone that marks the company's entry into its 17th country.
For its entry into the Venezuelan market, the network, which encompasses approximately 2.170 gyms, opted to operate under the franchise model as a precautionary measure given the particularities of the country's economic situation, according to CEO Diogo Corona, in an interview with the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo.
“We entered gradually and cautiously, with a local franchisee and in strict compliance with applicable regulations. Entering early (in a country) has value. But entering early without capital discipline and without the right model, does not,” Corona emphasized.
The new facility boasts 2.000 square meters of space and is located in the Expresso Shopping Center in Chacaíto. This new space features over 150 state-of-the-art Matrix machines, a free weight area, cardio equipment, a functional training area, a studio for more than 50 group classes per month (yoga, dance therapy, combat, functional training, among others), and a Smart Spa area with massage chairs, explained Álvaro Navarro and Nicolás Mazzuti, the project managers in Venezuela, to the media. They will be open Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Currently, they offer two membership plans, with payment at the official BCV exchange rate, as they do not accept foreign currency.
Smartif Venezuela's Marketing Director, Nicolás Mazzuti, revealed to Zoom al Mercado that two new locations will be inaugurated in the country before the end of the year, where the
With the addition of Venezuela, the chain now has approximately 2.170 gyms and 5.000 members in Latin America, in addition to a branch in Morocco. "We want to democratize high-quality fitness, bringing the Latin American gym standard to Venezuela."
The CEO explained to EFE that the company had been monitoring the Venezuelan situation for some time and that it currently perceives signs of greater economic stability.
Founded in São Paulo, SmartFit has established itself in the last decade as a leader in the sector in the region through its low-cost, high-volume model, with operations in most countries of South America, Central America and Mexico.
📈They keep growing
🛻Foton presented its global strategy in Hannover
At the fair IAA Transportation 2026 In Hanover, FOTON presented its global strategy to 2030, underpinned by electromobility, hydrogen technology, and artificial intelligence. During the event, the company launched seven new models and six in-house R&D components, in addition to reaching the milestone of 13 million vehicles delivered worldwide with the European debut of the premium GALAXUS 9 model.
For its 2030 goal, FOTON projects that 50% of its sales will be new energy vehicles and 40% will come from the international market. To achieve this, the brand is shifting from a traditional export model to one of complete value chain , which integrates development centers, regional assembly and technical adaptation according to the environment of each country.
Within this framework of international expansion, FOTON celebrates 5 years in Venezuela (represented by APB Group), ranking among the top 10 best-selling brands (according to CAVENEZ). With 12 dealerships, 3 sales points, and an inventory of 150.000 original spare parts, the country boasts one of the brand's 32 official Automotive Training Centers worldwide, guaranteeing specialized support for local models such as the AUMAN 45-ton truck, the Tunland, Miler, and Truck Mate pickups, and the View C2 van.
(I.e.What's new on the shelf
🐔MAGGI® by Nestlé launches its Ricontodo with "The flavor of our own."
Nestlé's MAGGI® presents Ricontodo, a new culinary offering designed to enrich the everyday meals of Venezuelan families. The product arrives on the market in a 9-gram individual sachet format under the concept The Flavor of Our Own.
"With Ricontodo, we've incorporated a blend of ingredients that Venezuelans recognize and enjoy, offering a practical option that adds flavor and makes everyday cooking easier," said Antonio Sánchez, Director of Food, Beverages and Nestlé Professional.
The seasoning combines the brand's signature flavor with iconic local ingredients such as onion, garlic, cumin, turmeric, parsley, curry, celery, scallions, cornmeal, and chicken. The formula offers a convenient way to season everyday recipes with familiar ingredients.
📌High-end
🏥 CDD Las Mercedes incorporates state-of-the-art cardiac technology 🧪🩺
As part of the rollout of a cutting-edge technological platform that includes high-resolution cardiac CT with up to 512 slices and a new GE HealthCare cardiac catheterization lab, CDD Las Mercedes successfully performed its first cardiac surgery in the new Hospitalization and Interventional Surgery Tower. The incorporation of these advancements reaffirms the center's commitment to promoting highly complex medicine in Venezuela, placing state-of-the-art tools in the hands of the nation's medical talent.
In the coming months, the institution will progressively integrate cutting-edge technology in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, cardiac PET, a specialized laboratory, and a Chest Pain Unit. The goal is to structure a comprehensive cardiovascular service that allows for the diagnosis, treatment, and intervention of the full spectrum of cardiovascular pathologies within a single healthcare ecosystem.
The historic first surgical intervention in the new tower was led by Dr. Giambattista La Forgia, a prominent Venezuelan cardiovascular surgeon, assisted by a multidisciplinary team of specialists and supported by a solid intensive care and specialized support structure.
This development reflects the vision of Dr. Wilson Mourad, founder of CDD, who maintains that one of Venezuela's greatest assets lies in the excellence of its healthcare professionals. The institution's strategy aims to provide local medical talent with world-class facilities and equipment to practice medicine at a fully up-to-date level in the country.
With the opening of this area, CDD Las Mercedes consolidates a model that brings together technological innovation, high-level infrastructure and problem-solving capacity for the benefit of cardiovascular patients.
🪴Sowing the future
🎂SAVOY® celebrates its 85th anniversary by donating 86.000 cocoa plants and trees 🍫
As part of its 85th anniversary celebration, the SAVOY® brand, through Nestlé Venezuela and its Nestlé Cocoa Plan, announced the donation of 80.000 cocoa plants and 6.000 shade, fruit, and forest trees. This initiative will directly benefit 354 Venezuelan producers, including 90 women who represent 25,4% of the group, promoting inclusion and community development.
The initiative seeks to strengthen sustainable production and the transition to more resilient agroforestry systems in the face of possible extreme weather conditions in the last quarter of 2026. The incorporation of forest and fruit species alongside traditional crops will allow for the regulation of humidity, provide shade, reduce heat stress and protect the soils of cocoa farms.
Since 2013, the Nestlé Cocoa Plan has distributed more than 1,2 million plants in the country. With this latest delivery, the company reaffirms SAVOY®'s long-standing commitment to Venezuelan Flavor® and the sustainability of the national cocoa value chain, combining its commemorative agenda with a concrete contribution to the country's agricultural future.
What's coming
UNIMET will host the “Homeschool Fest 2026” on educational innovation
The Metropolitan University (UNIMET) will host the second edition of “Homeschool Fest 2026” on October 23 and 24, the educational innovation event organized by EDUKHOMES and DAWERE with the support of D-Future EdTech.
The festival aims to provide families, teachers, and tutors with new tools to face the challenges of the 21st century. The program includes TEDx-style talks on Artificial Intelligence, finance, neurodivergence, and the legal aspects of homeschooling, as well as immersive workshops on entrepreneurship, art, nature, and the "Home is Cool" awards. The event will also feature an exhibition and networking fair with academies and institutions.
As a social initiative, special access will be given to 200 young people affected by the June earthquake. Tickets and the schedule are available at Goliiive and homeschoolfest.lat.
If you have any information you'd like to share with us, you can email us at the following address: zoomalmercarcado.2025@gmail.com
