Costa Rican footwear and accessories chain Best Brands has opened a new store at the Santa Ana Trade Center, marking its 35th sales point in the country and reinforcing its expansion strategy in the western part of San Jose.
The project required an investment of approximately $450,000 and spans 670 square meters on a single level, designed to deliver a more comfortable and dynamic shopping experience, according to the company. The new store carries footwear lines for men, women and children, and stocks international brands including Sam Edelman, Naturalizer, Stuart Weitzman, Rockport, Avia, Ecko and Penguin, with pricing tiers aimed at broadening its reach across consumer segments.
The opening generated 12 direct jobs and an estimated 30 indirect positions, the company said. “This opening responds to the need for the ideal space to develop our concept in a more integrated way. We wanted a store designed for customers to enjoy the shopping experience with comfort, without pressure and in a different atmosphere,” said José Ángel Adrián, general manager of Best Brands.
The store’s interior features warm tones and a conceptual mural by Costa Rican artist Mariela Montoya Sandoval, inspired by the idea of a “paradise of shoes.” “We wanted people to feel from the moment they walked in that they were entering a different place, designed to be enjoyed. The mural adds enormously to the atmosphere and connects perfectly with the concept we want to convey as a brand,” said Adriana Guzmán Redondo, Best Brands’ marketing manager.
Best Brands’ management said the choice of Santa Ana reflects the district’s sustained growth over the past 15 years, which has positioned it as a key commercial hub serving neighboring cantons such as Mora and the western edge of Alajuela province. The Santa Ana Trade Center has emerged as one of the San Jose’s most active new retail developments, anchored by Costa Rica’s largest Walmart store and a lineup that includes McDonald’s, KFC, Popeyes, iShop, Gollo, Monge and Ekono, fronting Route 27 — one of our busiest highways.
The 35-store milestone includes both physical locations and the company’s e-commerce platform, which Best Brands launched in 2014 — early for the Costa Rican retail market. The chain has long blended online sales with brick-and-mortar growth, including locations outside the GAM in areas such as Upala, Puriscal, Turrialba and Limón. Best Brands said it will continue evaluating new openings and strategic relocations across the country as part of its growth plan.
