91. Smart Fit Works Out in Mexico; Economic Recovery, América Móvil, Taxes, Digital Payments and Traffic Jams

This week on MexMoves, we interview Darío Coronado, CEO of Smart Fit Mexico, which has more than 500 locations and 1.3 million members. We discuss how Brazil-based Smart Fit rapidly overtook the incumbent Mexican gym chains to become by far the country's largest fitness club by membership and revenues, the economics behind its impressive growth, changing fitness habits, expansion into smaller cities, and whether younger Mexicans are becoming more health-conscious.

Also this week:

Mexico's Economic Recovery: Surprisingly strong third-quarter economic indicators suggest growth is accelerating, while encouraging corporate earnings point to a recovery in consumer spending. Is Mexico finally emerging from its economic slowdown?

América Móvil's Strong Results Amid AT&T's Exit: Carlos Slim's telecom giant reports another strong quarter, while AT&T Mexico is also showing improving results ahead of its sale. What will change now that Televisa is set to take over ATT’s Mexico business?

Mexico's Hidden Corporate Tax Increase: Proposed changes to tax deductions could significantly increase effective corporate taxes without changing the headline 30% rate.

Digital Payments: Can Mexico Replicate Brazil's Pix? Mexico approves a major digital-payments reform, but CoDi has failed to gain meaningful traction. We examine why banks have little incentive to promote a free payment system that competes with their lucrative card businesses.

Mexico's Traffic Nightmare: We examine a new study on the staggering amount of time and economic productivity lost to traffic congestion in Mexico's cities.