Assaí Atacadista is Brazil's largest food retail company and operates a self-service wholesale Cash & Carry chain. Founded in São Paulo in 1974, it runs more than 313 stores across all five Brazilian regions, serving both individual consumers and small and medium businesses. The company is publicly listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3) under the ticker ASAI3.
Its scale is considerable: roughly 40 million customer visits a month, with one in every four Brazilian households shopping at Assaí. The format combines wholesale prices for individual shoppers with bulk purchasing for businesses. Interbrand ranks it the most valuable brand in the Brazilian retail food sector.
Beyond its retail operations, Assaí runs two training programmes. Instituto Assaí provides free training and development for community members, while Academia Assaí Bons Negócios offers free programmes supporting small and medium businesses and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The company operates in food retail, wholesale and grocery, with a stated focus on affordable food access for families.
