13. Disguised example of Brazilian
A large, formal retailer acquires an informal
competidor-productivity goes up 32% …
… but the retailer´s net margin evaporates
Labor productivity, reals
Why?
• Customer service
centralized
• Remaining
employees work
same number of
hours on average
Net margin, %
Why?
• 8% savings achieved through
centralized purchasing and
distribution, but…
• Gross and net sales plunge
(20% and 24%, respectively) as
retailer is forced to charge
higher prices to pay value-
added taxes
• Formerly undocumented
employees become eligible for
benefits, overtime pay
9.3
12.2
4.9
0.1
Fuente: McKinsey, The Hidden Dangers of Informal Economy
Before
acquisition
After
acquisition
Before
acquisition
After
acquisition