Interview with Reinaldo Solari, interviewed by Andrea Lluch, Santiago, Chile
Contributors: Lluch, Andrea, interviewer; Harvard Business School
Publisher: Harvard Business Schoo
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Boston, MA
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource]
Number of pages: 25
Subjects: Interviews; Industrialists; Retail trade; Department stores; International business enterprises; Diversification in industry; Philanthropists; Business; History; Economic conditions; Politics and government; Commerce; S.A.C.I. Falabella
Description: Mr. Solari outlines the expansion of Falabella in Chile and throughout Latin America, particularly in the retail sector. He talks about the importance of acquiring local businesses and adapting the retail branch of his business to national and regional interests. Mr. Solari also relates the philanthropic work of his group in the education sector in Chile. He believes the success of Falabella is due to a willingness to expand into other sectors, including banking and finance, and the close relationship developed between company employees and their customers as this expansion has taken place.
Notes: Interview translated into English. Transcript available in English and Spanish.

Title from PDF title page (viewed on September 18, 2014).

Interviewed in Spanish on 2008 September 2 in Santiago by Dr. Andrea Lluch, HBS Research Associate, through the sponsorship of the Business History Initiative, Harvard Business School.

Interview with Reinaldo Solari, interviewed by Andrea Lluch, Santiago, Chile, September 2, 2008, Creating Emerging Markets Oral History Collection, Baker Library Historical Collections, Harvard Business School.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Reinaldo Solari is the president of SACI Falabella, one of the largest companies in Chile and the second largest operator of retail chains in Latin America. He received a degree in civil engineering from the Universidad de Chile in 1948. He taught in the engineering academy at the university as well as at the Capitán Ávalos Aviation Academy. During his career, he has held several influential positions, including founder and president of Chilean clothing company Mavesa, president of asset management company Megeve, director at Puma and at Banco de Chile, and president and director of Andariveles de Cordillera Andaco. He assumed the vice presidency of SACI Falabella in 1980. In 1986, Mr. Solari succeeded his brother, Alberto Solari, as president of the company after Alberto's death. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, Falabella operates a network of department stores, home centers, supermarkets, and shopping centers located in Argentina, Colombia, and Peru. In addition, the company is involved in the financial, insurance, and real estate sectors.

Forms part of: Latin American oral history collection, 2006-2009.

Forms part of: Creating Emerging Markets oral history collection, 2006-