Automatic Replenishment Systems
Introduction
Platanitos is a Peruvian company founded in 1991, dedicated to the retail trade of footwear, fashion, accessories and home products. It has an e-commerce platform in Peru and has expanded its presence to Chile. In addition, it sells household appliances and other products, with an omnichannel business model.[1].
History
In 1949, Manuel Wong, a Chinese emigrant, founded Activa, a shoe factory in Lima. His brand, Boby, became known in the local market for the production of school shoes.
In 1980, his daughter, Lourdes Wong, entered the retail sector with the opening of Cueva, a boutique specializing in footwear. Later, in 1991, he opened Banana Boutique in Miraflores "Miraflores District (Lima)"), focused on the marketing of imported fashion.[2].
In 1996, the company was formalized under the name Platanitos and established itself as an accessible fashion brand in Peru. In 1998, it officially adopted this name and, in 2000, it implemented an automatic replenishment system to optimize inventory management.[3][4].
In 2010, Platanitos launched its e-commerce platform, expanding its reach beyond physical stores. In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it transformed its business model and became a marketplace, incorporating third-party products. In 2022, it launched Resikla, its platform for buying and selling second-hand items. By 2025, the company operates 95 stores in Peru and four in Chile.[1].
Impact and contributions
Platanitos has developed digitalization and customer experience strategies in e-commerce in Peru. Its business model has evolved in response to market trends, with the aim of improving the offer and the purchasing experience.[5][6].
References
- [1] ↑ a b Obando, Manoel (28 de octubre de 2024). «Así fue como esta empresa de calzados pasó de tener un pequeño local a convertirse en una cadena en todo el Perú». Infobae. Consultado el 20 de marzo de 2025.: https://www.infobae.com/peru/2024/10/27/platanitos-asi-fue-como-esta-empresa-de-calzados-paso-de-tener-un-pequeno-local-a-convertirse-en-una-cadena-en-todo-el-peru/
- [2] ↑ Dextre, Cecilia (23 de marzo de 2023). «Estudió en la UNMSM, fundó Platanitos y ahora tiene un imperio comercial: la historia de Lourdes Wong». La República. Consultado el 20 de marzo de 2025.: https://larepublica.pe/datos-lr/historia/2023/03/26/la-historia-de-lourdes-wong-estudio-en-la-unmsm-fundo-platanitos-y-ahora-tiene-un-imperio-comercial-tienda-de-zapatos-moda-evat-1632722
- [3] ↑ Bárcena, Gabriela (18 de mayo de 2023). «Platanitos: Huyó de la Revolución China, llegó al Perú y hoy tiene más de 70 tiendas a nivel nacional». Info Mercado. Consultado el 20 de marzo de 2025.: https://infomercado.pe/fracasaron-2-veces-y-ahora-tienen-70-tiendas-en-todo-el-pais-conoce-la-historia-de-platanitos-180523-gb/
- [4] ↑ «Platanitos: de una pequeña tienda de zapatos a un imperio de la moda en el Perú». Perú Retail. 22 de agosto de 2022. Consultado el 20 de marzo de 2025.: https://www.peru-retail.com/platanitos-de-una-pequena-tienda-de-zapatos-a-un-imperio-de-la-moda-en-el-peru/
- [5] ↑ Inga Martínez, Claudia (19 de marzo de 2020). «Platanitos y el impulso a su estrategia digital durante 2020». El Comercio. Consultado el 20 de marzo de 2025.