Chile's online sales to reach $11.5 billion this year

Recently, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce (CCS) and the Latin American Institute of E-Commerce held the San Diego E-Commerce Day "Online Live Experience" event, with more than 7,000 participants.

At the event, CCS Research Director George Lever revealed that e-commerce is growing steadily in South American countries. Proof of this is that, despite a 3.9% decline in retail trade in the region in 2020, e-commerce grew by 55% in goods and services, contributing 6.3 points to trade growth.

Lever also predicts that online sales in Chile will reach $11.592 billion this year, equivalent to an increase of more than 20%, accounting for 13% of total Chilean commercial sales, while by 2022 he estimates that this proportion will reach 20%.

Analyzing e-commerce trends in 2020, the economist highlighted strong growth in the digital payments category, which grew by 28%, e-commerce via mobile devices, which grew by 25%, online education, which grew by 39%, and video streaming, which grew by 31%.

Regarding the percentage of consumers who shop online, Lever noted that this percentage increased from 33% in March 2020 to 85% in January this year. Likewise, he highlighted the consolidation of women’s relevant role in online shopping, with participation approaching 60%.

Among those using online channels, supermarkets account for 68%, large stores for 65%, international stores for 46%, specialized stores for 44% and finally, marketplaces for 42%.

On the other hand, CCS President Peter Hill highlighted the work carried out by the union to help the country enter e-commerce during the quarantine and lockdown due to the pandemic. He said: "It seems to all of us that the operation of e-commerce during the pandemic is something that is completely basic, that is, to provide the minimum conditions for consumption, entrepreneurship and employment during the pandemic."

Latin America saw the largest e-commerce growth in the world in 2020, ranking first ahead of the Asia-Pacific region. This year was a watershed year for the development of e-commerce, and now e-commerce has become a popular trend. This year, Chile's online sales will reach US$11.5 billion and will develop steadily.

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