Carlos Mario Giraldo Moreno is a Colombian businessman born on September 19, 1960 (64 years old) in Colombia, his native country. He is currently the president and CEO of Grupo Éxito, one of the most important business conglomerates in Latin America.
Father of five children, he is one of the most prominent entrepreneurs in Colombia. Recognized on several occasions, he joined the company many years ago and has served as its president since 2013.
Unlike other global businessmen who studied economics or finance, Giraldo Moreno pursued a legal path after finishing primary and secondary school.
Carlos studied law at the Universidad Nacional de Medellín and later completed postgraduate studies in the same field in the United Kingdom, as well as a Master’s degree in Colombia.
The beginnings of Grupo Éxito
This business conglomerate, which generates billions in revenue and is one of the most relevant retailers in Latin America, began in 1905 under the name Carulla, founded by Spanish entrepreneur José Carulla.
Many years passed until Carlos Mario became president, during which time the company followed a trajectory that led it to its current status. In the early 1950s, the first “Éxito” store opened in Medellín, Colombia.
Over the years, Éxito transitioned from being a textile product store to offering household items and more. While Giraldo Moreno was preparing as a lawyer, this small company also introduced its foundation, aimed at supporting the underprivileged and promoting education.
Sales at the store increased so significantly that by the mid-1990s, after strong national consolidation, Éxito decided to list on the country’s stock exchange.
Just before the 2000s, Éxito stores underwent a major transformation. They launched their first online stores and, additionally, the French corporation Groupe Casino, dedicated to the food sector, acquired a quarter of Éxito’s shares.
Today, Groupe Casino has sold its stake in Grupo Éxito to Grupo Calleja, a Salvadoran-based group, now the majority shareholders.
The 2000s and the rise of Carlos Mario Giraldo Moreno
Gonzalo Restrepo served as president of Grupo Éxito for 22 years, making his replacement a significant challenge. However, from the moment Giraldo Moreno took over, it was a complete success.
Carlos joined Grupo Éxito in 2007 as Chief Operating Officer of retail. Retail refers to the retail market, and these years offered him valuable experience to closely understand the business and the company’s mission and vision.
In fact, Restrepo himself stated that Giraldo Moreno would be his successor, years before it became official. Restrepo acted as a mentor to the Colombian, who had also specialized in other companies prior.
One of the keys to Grupo Éxito’s continued success is its international expansion, beyond national growth. Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay are the South American countries where the brand has the strongest presence, followed by the United States as another key market.
From 2013 to the present
International expansion didn’t just boost revenue—it also led to acquisitions of other companies. Many in Brazil, including retail chains and hypermarkets in Uruguay, were acquired by Grupo Éxito under Carlos Mario’s leadership.
By the end of 2015, the Colombian company had become the retail leader in South America, with massive income levels. Thanks to Giraldo’s innovation, the group also ventured into shopping malls and real estate, an initiative that became a major success and continues to thrive.
It’s also important to highlight Fundación Éxito, which focused entirely on child nutrition and social responsibility. Through various initiatives, the company managed to significantly reduce malnutrition.
The best moment for Grupo Éxito—and one of the proudest for Carlos—was at the end of that same year, when the stores acquired in Brazil generated four times the previous revenue, and overall earnings doubled.
Today, as noted, after several negotiations, Groupe Casino has sold its stake in Grupo Éxito. Last year, President and CEO Giraldo Moreno was honored as one of the most important entrepreneurs.
The Colombian made a market-shaking move: for the first time, Grupo Éxito was listed on the stock exchanges of three countries (Colombia, Brazil, and the United States), and the sale from Casino to Calleja significantly increased the company’s value.
Grupo Éxito now has more than seven thousand affiliates, over 50,000 employees, and generates revenue in the billions. Carlos Mario Giraldo Moreno has now led the company for 11 years—he took charge of a stable business and elevated it to new heights.