Online shopping is growing 1.5 times faster in Latin America than it is in the rest of the world, Reuters reported Tuesday (Jan. 27), citing data from consulting firm Endeavor and eCommerce firm MercadoLibre.
The region’s eCommerce is expected to reach $215.31 billion this year, according to the report.
Nearly 85% of the growth in eCommerce in Latin America will be concentrated in three markets: Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, the report said.
Surveying the region’s consumers, Endeavor and MercadoLibre found that 85% of the online purchases made by these shoppers are made on smartphones; nearly half of consumers would stop buying from a platform if there is a delivery delay, an issue with a return or another sort of bad experience; and three-quarters of shoppers said clarity in prices and policies is very important, per the report.
The PYMNTS Intelligence report “2025 Global Digital Shopping Index: Mexico Edition” found that in Mexico, mobile devices serve not just as tools for online purchases but also as integral components of in-store experiences.
The report found that 47% of Mexican shoppers used a mobile device for their most recent retail transaction, whether online or in-store. That figure was 17% higher than it was in 2022.
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The figure placed Mexico slightly below the global average of 48%, but the country’s growth trajectory suggests it will soon align with global leaders, the report said.
Another PYMNTS Intelligence report, “2025 Global Digital Shopping Index: Brazil Edition,” found that 61% of Brazilian consumers used a mobile phone for their latest retail purchase, whether online or in-store.
That figure marked a 10% increase since 2022 and placed Brazil among the top four countries surveyed globally, significantly outpacing the United States and the United Kingdom.
It was reported in November 2025 that as that year’s Black Friday sale approached, MercadoLibre invested more than ever before in coupons due to heightened competition in Latin America from other online retailers such as Amazon, Shein, Shopee and Temu.
MercadoLibre invested nearly $19 million in coupons during that period, as well as lowering the threshold for free shipping earlier in the year.
One of the company’s competitors, Amazon, was working to gain a greater share of the market with initiatives that included waiving fees for sellers that used its fulfillment services and forming a partnership with Nu Holdings to offer more credit and payment options to Brazilian consumers.
