During 2017, we continued achieving our plans for regional growth, digitization and automation within the company, we continued producing reliable performance in a world where constant change is the new paradigm. Today, commercial industry and retail banking are experiencing a transformative technological revolution, which our company is addressing with a sense of urgency, through accelerated decision-making and rapid execution.
We plan to increase our investments in logistics and technology over the next four years, as these areas have become a critical focus for the company. Furthermore, we plan to remodel, adapt and expand our more successful sales outlets and continue opening new stores, branches and shopping malls in areas where we are not represented. We are prioritizing S.A.C.I. Falabella’s long-term development and positioning over immediate results. This vision for the future convinces us that our regional leadership will expand while radical changes are taking place in the industry.
We will maintain our leadership in customer proximity and understanding, and will serve them using the format they prefer on a 24-hour basis. This is the essence of Omni-channels, which is the focus for our substantial investments in information technology and logistics systems. We have focused on mobile technology and integrating our store network into the digital arena.
During 2017 we sold US$ 769 million through the e-commerce channel of our retail businesses (department stores, home improvement and supermarkets), which represent 6.5% of our annual retail sales and growth of 36%. This figure makes us a leading e-commerce company in the region, and this channel is rapidly gaining momentum across all categories. Our investments in logistics and systems will provide us with sustainable growth, as automating processes, strengthening logistics and streamlining deliveries will enable us to provide an excellent service with long-term sustainability.
We want to build long-term relationships with our customers, by understanding their needs, and developing an increasingly personalized service. We want to continue providing differentiated selections using our private and exclusive brands, with financial services tailored to each customer, at attractive shopping malls that provide leisure, shopping and entertainment for the whole family. Here lies both our advantage and our challenge. We have 515 million visits to our web pages, 27 million followers, 324 million transactions at our stores, and 390 million people visiting our shopping malls every year. These are our strengths and they enable us to continue enhancing our offering for our customers.
Regional expansion continues its course, under a clear, prudent and long-term strategy. This expansion will increase our presence and enable us to compete with global players in our industry, thus securing our long-term sustainability.
We continued to strengthen our business in countries where we are well consolidated, and in 2017 we launched the new Falabella Soriana card in Mexico, marking our entry into that country. We also began to build the first Sodimac stores in Mexico City. Meanwhile, in Brazil we have modernized Dicico stores and opened Sodimac stores, which are already beginning to bear fruit.
We have continued to strengthen various aspects of our corporate governance. A multinational company of Empresas Falabella’s size that operates in so many countries using various business models requires processes, checks and balances to guarantee that it is considered sustainable and reliable by its customers, shareholders, employees, financiers, suppliers, regulators and all other stakeholders.
We have been able to address these challenges thanks to our motivated, enthusiastic and continually-trained employees. Our company regularly attracts new talent, due to its development, expansion and the technological challenges it faces. We find people interested in participating in our development everywhere and at all levels within the company, in stores, in administration, in systems, as sales staff or as executives or directors. Our strategy is based on growth and regional coverage, and it enables us to attract a multitude of talent. This talent empowers the company and challenges us to constantly focus on training, professional improvement, internal promotion and career development within S.A.C.I. Falabella.
I would like to thank all those responsible for developing our company. Our shareholders, whose confidence in the future of Empresas Falabella enables us to follow this path of growth and development. The financial markets that have acquired our shares and bonds both in Chile and abroad as they have confidence in S.A.C.I. Falabella. Our directors, for their unfailing and constant support along this strenuous but achievable path. Our suppliers, whose confidence builds our business and its expansion. I particularly wish to thank our employees, whose ideas, commitment and enthusiasm make Management’s strategies and policies tangible.
This encapsulates S.A.C.I. Falabella, who has a clear perspective of its future growth and expansion, based on its unchanging values. Customer-focused, humble, continually innovating, making its dreams come true, while respecting the local environment.
We will continue making progress with enthusiasm and passion, quickly and efficiently reacting to changes, safeguarding the development of everyone who is part of this great and marvelous company.
Affectionately,
Carlo Solari Donaggio
Chairman