Universal, the popular one-stop shopping chain, today is opening a new store in Multicentro Desamparados, its 10th in Costa Rica.

The chain plans to open four more before 2010, bringing their Costa Rican total to 14, according to the daily La Nación.

The store's management will take the beginning of 2009 to evaluate the country's economic situation and has not set exact locations for most of the planned stores. The new shops are tentatively planned for Escazú, Moravia, Alajuela and Cartago.

Universal sells technological products, sports equipment, books, office supplies and furniture, children's toys, and many other goods.

The first Universal opened in 1926 in San José. Stores now are spread out between the capital, Santa Ana, Heredia and Liberia, among other locations.