Start Site Page 247

Summer boosts overall e-commerce sales, but seasonal products see decline, survey finds

E-Commerce Update
-
0
Summer boosts overall e-commerce sales, but seasonal products see decline, survey finds

The summer of 2024 brought mixed results for Brazilian e-commerce, according to a survey conducted by Neotrust, a market intelligence company focused on e-commerce. While overall sales showed growth, products traditionally associated with the season, such as sunscreen and cameras, experienced a decline compared to the same period last year.

According to data from Neotrust, released by CNN, overall e-commerce sales grew by 3.6% in January and February of this year compared to the same months in 2023. The average ticket for online purchases also increased by 7.2%, rising from R$ 455.15 to R$ 487.85.

However, when analyzing specific categories of seasonal products, the research identified a decline in sales. Items such as sunscreen, sunglasses, cameras, and sports equipment experienced a 10.2% decrease in revenue during the summer of 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year.

Despite the decline in seasonal products, some categories stood out positively. Sales of fans and air circulators increased by 41.3%, driven by the high temperatures recorded in various regions of the country. Air conditioners and humidifiers experienced a 36.7% increase in online sales.

According to Paulina Gonçalves Dias, Head of Intelligence at Neotrust, the results reflect changes in consumer behavior. "The growth of overall sales in e-commerce demonstrates the consolidation of this channel as a convenient and advantageous option for Brazilians. However, the decline in seasonal products may indicate greater caution among consumers regarding spending considered superfluous, given the still challenging economic scenario," he/she/they analyze.

Neotrust's research also revealed a greater participation of consumers from the North and Northeast regions in online shopping during the summer. Together, these regions accounted for 27.3% of sales during the period, an increase of 2.1 percentage points compared to the previous summer. This growth suggests greater digital inclusion and access to e-commerce in areas previously less represented.

With the arrival of autumn and the prospect of milder temperatures, the expectation is that the categories of seasonal products associated with summer will continue to show a slowdown in online sales. However, the trend of overall sales growth in e-commerce is expected to continue as Brazilian consumers become accustomed to shopping through digital channels, seeking convenience, variety, and competitive prices.

lojasmel invests in shopping experience with omnichannel strategy and cutting-edge technology

E-Commerce Update
-
0
lojasmel invests in shopping experience with omnichannel strategy and cutting-edge technology

Lojasmel integrates innovation and convenience into a robust omnichannel strategy that combines the physical store and digital. With a portfolio exceeding 12,000 SKUs, the retail chain offers consumers a fast, secure, and convenient shopping experience through digital channels such as WhatsApp, delivery apps, and major marketplaces serving the entire country.

In partnership with OmniChat, lojasmel connects its 56 physical stores to the digital environment, providing customers with an integrated shopping experience. Since 2021, when WhatsApp was implemented as a sales channel, the network has recorded over 12,500 transactions through the platform, standing out as one of the main means of interaction with Brazilian consumers.

“WhatsApp is present in the daily lives of Brazilians and allows us to do much more than just make sales. We recover abandoned carts, launch targeted campaigns and create virtual catalogs that optimize the purchasing journey. Combining this with integration with the inventory of physical stores, we are able to offer agility and a personalized experience”, explains Felipe Prado, responsible for the digital channels strategy at lojasmel.

In addition to WhatsApp, Lojasmel invests in delivery apps like iFood, Rappi, and Uber to enhance convenience and accessibility. These channels ensure that customers receive the products within a few hours, maintaining safety and convenience. The platforms also offer exclusive campaigns and intuitive navigation.

Another advantage is fast delivery: purchases made during business hours can be delivered within two hours via Uber Flash. Additionally, orders over 199.99 reais placed via WhatsApp include free delivery for distances up to 10 km.

“Everything for everyone, with love is our purpose. That’s why, in addition to the official website, we have expanded our presence in the main Delivery Apps and Marketplaces. This way, we guarantee a reliable, practical and accessible experience for our customers and, of course, we are introduced to new customers ~the platform users~”, reinforces Prado.

The omnichannel strategy connects digital channels to physical stores, providing even more seamless experiences and flexibility for customers. Through digital platforms, it is possible to make purchases and choose to pick up the order at one of the 56 locations in the network. Additionally, customers in physical stores, with the assistance of our store assistants, can request products from other units, ensuring they always find what they need.

“Our goal is not only to be present in different channels, but mainly to ensure that the customer has a cohesive and efficient experience, regardless of where they are buying from. We are constantly refining our approach to combine technology, practicality and security”, adds Prado.

With ambitious plans, Lojasmel projects that digital sales — including WhatsApp, delivery apps, and marketplaces — will account for 5% of total revenue in the coming years. "We want to be a reference in customer service quality, innovation, and convenience in retail. Our focus is to connect customers to what they need in an efficient and secure way, reinforcing our Omnichannel strategy," concludes Felipe Prado.

Average freight price per km traveled increases and closes December at R$6.81, according to Edenred Repom

E-Commerce Update
-
0
Average freight price per km traveled increases and closes December at R$6.81, according to Edenred Repom

According to data from the latest Edenred Repom Freight Index (IFR) analysis, the average freight price per kilometer traveled closed December 2024 at R$ 6.81 nationwide, representing a 4.7% increase compared to November and a 7.07% rise compared to the average recorded in January 2024. (R$ 6.36).

Just like in November, freight prices in the last month of 2024 increased due to significant economic factors, notably the recent rise in the dollar, which pressures the sector's input costs. The high levels of the basic interest rate (Selic) also play an important role in the freight increase, as does the rise in diesel, which, according to IPTL (Edenred Ticket Log Price Index), showed the highest average price of 2024 in December," highlights Vinicios Fernandes, director of Edenred Repom.

Annual average

Despite the increase in December compared to November, the index also indicates that there was a drop of 12.63% when comparing the average values practiced in 2024 (R$ 6.36) to the average in 2023 (R$ 7.28).

“Throughout 2024, freight prices were influenced by stable fuel prices and the good performance of industry and construction, while agribusiness was impacted by falling commodity prices and climate events. At the beginning of 2025, average freight prices are expected to continue rising, driven by economic and fiscal factors and the recovery of agribusiness,” concludes Fernandes.

The IFR is an index of the average freight price and its composition, based on the 8 million annual freight and toll transactions managed by Edenred Repom. Edenred Repom, the brand of Edenred Brazil's Mobility business line, has been specialized in managing and paying expenses for the freight transportation market for 30 years, leading in the freight payment and toll voucher segment with 8 million transactions annually and over 1 million truck drivers served across Brazil.

Neogrid hires new director to lead the Commercial Intelligence business unit

E-Commerce Update
-
0
Neogrid hires new director to lead the Commercial Intelligence business unit

Neogrid, a technology and data intelligence ecosystem that develops solutions for managing the consumption chain, announces the arrival of Leandro Murta to lead the Commercial Intelligence business unit.

With over 16 years of experience in the consumer goods sector, the executive assumes the position of BU head at Neogrid after a long career and various roles in Sales at Ambev, where he built his career and held the position of Sales Intelligence Director. Murta also held positions such as National Accounts Director, Regional Commercial Manager, and National Pricing Manager, with extensive experience in leadership roles and a solid track record in strategic and operational planning, as well as revenue management.

“We are very excited about Leandro’s arrival. This move will add to and further enhance our business strategies, bringing a vision focused on business intelligence to the solutions in our portfolio,” says Nicolas Simone, CPTO at Neogrid.

Amazon announces departure of its top executive in Brazil amid restructuring

E-Commerce Update
-
0
Amazon announces departure of its top executive in Brazil amid restructuring

Amazon, the e-commerce giant, announced the departure of its top executive in Brazil, Daniel Mazini, who has held the position of Country Manager since 2019. The decision occurs amidst a global restructuring of the company, which aims to reduce costs and increase operational efficiency.

Mazini, who was leading Amazon's operations in the country, will be replaced by Ricardo Garrido, the company's current Retail Director in Mexico. The transition will take place over the coming weeks, with Garrido taking office starting in May.

Under Mazini's management, Amazon significantly expanded its presence in the Brazilian market, launching new services such as Amazon Prime and Amazon Music, as well as expanding its product catalog and partnerships with local sellers. However, the company faces increasing competition from domestic players such as Magazine Luiza, Americanas, and Mercado Livre.

Mazini's departure occurs at a challenging time for Amazon, which announced globally the layoffs of more than 18,000 employees earlier this year as part of a restructuring plan to adapt to changes in the post-pandemic economic landscape. In Brazil, the company also made cuts to its team, although it has not disclosed official figures.

In an internal statement, Amazon thanked Mazini for his contribution and leadership in recent years, highlighting the company's progress in the Brazilian market. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to the country, highlighting the growth potential of e-commerce in the region.

Ricardo Garrido's arrival as the new Amazon leader in Brazil signals the company's intention to continue investing in the local market, leveraging the executive's experience in operations in Latin America. Garrido will face the challenge of leading the company in a scenario of increased competitiveness and accelerated digital transformation, aiming to strengthen Amazon's position as one of the main players in e-commerce in the country.

With the leadership transition and global restructuring underway, Amazon reinforces its strategy of adapting to changes in the market, aiming to maintain its sustainable growth and offer the best experience to its customers and partners in Brazil and around the world.

Mercado Livre announces the closure of Mercado Shops: an opportunity for e-commerce integrators

E-Commerce Update
-
0
Mercado Livre announces the closure of Mercado Shops: an opportunity for e-commerce integrators

Mercado Livre, a giant in e-commerce in Latin America, announced that it will shut down its e-commerce tool Mercado Shops on December 31, 2025. The decision will affect sellers who use the platform to create customized online stores, with their own identity and features such as logos, colors, typography, banners, and product carousels.

Until the end of 2025, current users will be able to continue selling through Mercado Shops. However, after this date, they will be directed to the "My Page" tool, a proprietary store within the Mercado Livre marketplace, which does not allow integration with other e-commerce platforms. Since Thursday (16), new users have been directed to create pages on the new solution.

To facilitate the transition, Mercado Livre will offer sellers a free three-month period to try out "My Page," which will cost R$ 99 monthly after the trial period. Merchants interested in maintaining a presence on multiple sales platforms are encouraged to migrate to e-commerce integrators such as Nuvemshop, Shopify, WooCommerce, VTEX, and LWSA.

According to Itaú BBA's analysis, Mercado Livre's decision could benefit e-commerce software players, especially LWSA. "The announcement reflects Mercado Livre's efforts to strengthen its base of sellers within the platform, aligned with its monetization strategy. However, many sellers still value the possibility of integrating their stores with multiple sales channels," evaluates the analysis team.

The bank also highlights that the majority of Mercado Shops users are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which will likely seek alternatives among the main e-commerce integrators available on the market.

With the closure of Mercado Shops, an opportunity opens up for companies specializing in e-commerce solutions to capture new customers and expand their market share, offering flexible and integrated alternatives for sellers seeking to diversify their online sales channels.

Virtual assistance with artificial intelligence gains ground and impacts the job market

E-Commerce Update
-
0
Virtual assistance with artificial intelligence gains ground and impacts the job market

The job market has been undergoing a transformation in various areas. While Brazil discusses the future of the human workday, technology is providing alternatives to optimize people's performance in the workplace.

Technology already exists for companies to maintain active digital customer service without interruption, time off or vacations, offering an experience to modern consumers, who do not have the time or patience to wait for a response from a professional who is on vacation.

"Artificial intelligence will enable people to work less. Certainly, some jobs will cease to exist, those related to repetitive routines, but other more analytical roles will surely emerge," evaluates Marcus Ferreira, founder of the Goiás-based startup Acelérion Innovation Hub.A recent Goldman Sachs study projects that the rise of AI could directly impact around 300 million jobs worldwide.

He gives the example of virtual collaborators created by his startup, focused on sales or scheduling business meetings, which are already operating throughout the country and are reducing the need for constant hiring and training of labor.

A startup has established itself as one of the most promising in Brazil by developing AI-based solutions to optimize customer service with a focus on sales or scheduling meetings or business visits.

Focus on creativity

Despite concerns about the level of jobs that may be lost in the coming years, AI specialist Loryane Lanne, partner and CEO of Acelérion, believes that technology is emerging to help people become less exhausted in their repetitive operational tasks. "The human being has a creative nature. AI is there precisely to handle repetitive processes and to prevent people, workers, from becoming mentally exhausted, which can lead to burnout or some form of depression from doing something that is not so enjoyable," he says.

The specialist highlights that even AIs need an expert to guide them, which is reflected in the growing need for increasingly specialized professionals prepared for the evolving job market. "In the case of customer service, AI needs an excellent salesperson by its side, observing human behavior and improving its service so that it is also excellent in its role. This salesperson will increasingly master their area and will no longer tire as much with repetitive processes and responses, focusing on what is truly important," he states.

Two fewer employees

Renato Soriani Vieira, owner of LR Imóveis in São Paulo, started using Corretora.AI about two months ago and describes the tool as a true "sales secretary." Among its functions, it highlights lead qualification and appointment scheduling, which allowed the company to eliminate the need for two employees who previously performed these tasks.

“With Corretora.AI, we have already managed to serve 413 clients continuously, 24 hours a day, and I am very close to closing sales thanks to fast and assertive scheduling,” shares Renato.

Digital technology enthusiast, Renato did not hesitate to adopt AI in his company and sees innovation as essential to scaling his business. "Zero labor lawsuits and more agility in services," he summarizes.

According to Renato, Corretora.AI allowed for a better distribution of human resources, leaving the team free to focus on more strategic aspects of sales and customer relationships.

24-hour service with humanization and agility

Pabline Mello Nogueira, owner of SOU Real Estate in Florianópolis, also reports significant progress since the implementation of Corretora.AI. After two months of use, the AI is responsible for the initial customer service, filtering information and scheduling visits before forwarding them to the responsible broker.

“The service is fast and 24 hours a day, but without seeming like a robot. Acelérion’s AI gave us freedom and personalization that was previously only possible with a full team,” says Pabline.

She also emphasizes the importance of innovation for survival in the market. "Innovation is 100% essential for our growth. Customers are increasingly seeking speed and efficiency, and technology allows us to offer exactly that," says Pabline.

In addition to increasing the number of appointments and centralizing information, the tool also standardizes service, allowing SOU Imobiliária to serve a greater number of customers without compromising the quality of service.

Asper reaches R$500 million in revenue and becomes the largest pure cybersecurity player in Brazil

E-Commerce Update
-
0
Asper reaches R$500 million in revenue and becomes the largest pure cybersecurity player in Brazil

Asper, the largest Brazilian cybersecurity company, continues its exponential growth strategy, with consolidated revenue of R$ 500 million in 2024. Since 2021, when it reached the R$ 60 million mark, the company has shown solid year-over-year growth, illustrating its delivery performance and well-structured business model. Upon reaching this milestone, Asper positions itself as the largestpure playercybersecurity in the Brazilian market.

With the initially set goal of surpassing R$ 500 million in revenue by 2025, Asper advanced its business plan by one year. Currently, the company accounts for 5% of themarket sharenational, but aims to increase its presence to 10% in the next two years. "Our business plan was to consolidate 5% of the national market share by the end of 2025. We managed to achieve this a year early. We believe that through organic growth, we can reach at least 10% market share in Brazil," explains Arthur Gonçalves, founder and CEO of Asper.

As a strategy, thepure playerThere is a strong diversification of sectors. Currently, a significant portion of your revenue comes from leading market clients such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, insurance, retail, andfood services. “Our revenue remains spread across the various sectors of the economy, always with large clients. In 2024, more than half of our revenue came from private clients, with significant representation from the financial and insurance sectors,” continues the CEO.

Alongside financial growth, Asper also expanded its operations throughout 2024. Asper's Security Operations Center, now the largest SOC structure in Latin America, monitored 1.53 trillion events throughout the year. The reason for this is the high volume of data circulating through the company's structure, responsible for monitoring and protecting some of Brazil's main financial organizations.

To handle all this demand, Asper has about 70% of its team composed of cybersecurity specialists. According to the company's CEO, the qualification of its team of professionals has always been a priority, with investments in certifications and the continuous offering of new training. Our diferencial is to bring to the market a solid offer of managed services. Instead of acting as resellers of the big techs, we are specialists in the technologies and, with that, we offer our clients continuous cybersecurity services with high added value.

Leadership in Cybersecurity Operations

In 2024, Asper strengthened its global presence with the opening of its first office in the United States, a market that already accounts for between 3.5% and 4% of its revenue. Located in Rockefeller Center, in New York City, the facility serves as a forward base for Asper's operations, with a team composed of local professionals to serve the ten clients already acquired in the country.

The operation in the US reflects the company's strategic vision of integrating markets, maintaining the excellence that has made it one of the five largest independent cybersecurity companies in Latin America. Asper is now a multinational company, with technology partnerships and global clients. We are connected to the most innovative and competitive market in the world, and with that, we are also able to anticipate trends and protect our clients' digital assets with a level of service far beyond national competitors, concludes Gonçalves.

The forecast for the coming years is to continue with 100% organic growth and to keep investing in growth in the North American market. By 2025, the company aims to increase its revenue in the country from US$ 3 million to US$ 15 million, also with growth in the team and client portfolio.

How can intelligent video system improve customer experience in physical stores?

Gustavo Maciel
-
0
How can intelligent video system improve customer experience in physical stores?

With a wide variety of options for online and hybrid shopping, brick-and-mortar stores need to increasingly offer great experiences to customers in order to stay competitive. Therefore, it is essential to adopt advanced technologies, such as smart video, which provides real-time insight into consumer needs in stores and supports faster and more responsive service.

Customer service benefits

There are several technological tools that significantly improve service — without the high costs and complexity of manual processes. AI-enabled video solutions, for example, enable a "simultaneous awareness" of the customer's journey through the store, as they count the number of people entering and leaving the establishment, ensuring that there are enough staff available to serve them. The team can be moved to the cash registers when queues increase and return to their regular tasks (such as administration, stock, and shelf replenishment) outside peak hours.

For consumers, having access to the right product, in the right place, at the right time is essential. In this sense, smart monitoring images help manage the goods on the shelves and trigger alarms to ensure they are restocked and always available. This also allows analyzing which products are more popular and thus positioning them in strategic locations where people can find them quickly.

Adoption of autonomous stores and security solutions

With the increase in the number of autonomous spaces or spaces with few employees, recording with modern technological surveillance cameras plays a very important role. They are able to identify individuals having difficulties at the self-service checkouts and send an employee to assist them. In addition to offering several high-value applications for autonomous environments, from traditional camera security to AI algorithms that detect thefts, these features ensure that buyers feel secure and help minimize stock losses.

Improved multichannel experience

The smart camera provides a much better omnichannel shopping experience, based on a deep understanding of the buyers' journey. Data analysis from recorded images ensures that online order and pickup kiosks are located in the right areas of the store to minimize congestion and speed up service. Furthermore, in distribution centers, orders can be picked and packed more accurately, reducing separation errors.

Many leading brand retailers are already partnering with monitoring and security companies to enhance their in-store services using smart cameras. Ultimately, by adopting these advanced technologies, merchants provide high-quality customer service and stay competitive.

Social Security Changes for 2025: What to Expect from the New Transition Rules

E-Commerce Update
-
0
Social Security Changes for 2025: What to Expect from the New Transition Rules

In 2025, the minimum retirement age undergoes some changes. The changes planned for the social security system are the result of a gradual implementation process of the Social Security Reform, approved in 2019, which is expected to extend until 2031.

On January 24th, Social Security Day, we bring in social security lawyer Jefferson Maleski from the law firm Celso Cândido de Souza Advogados to clarify the main impacts of these changes. "The transition rules aim to soften the impact of the new rules for those who were already under the previous retirement regime but had not yet met the necessary requirements for retirement," explains the lawyer.

According to him, there are two important changes for 2025:

  1. The Punctuation Transition Rule:

This rule applies to those who need to reach a minimum score, combining age and contribution time. In 2025, women will need to reach 92 points to retire, while men will need to reach 102 points. For women, the minimum contribution time required is 30 years, and for men, 35 years.

“The score is progressive, which means that each year the number of points required to retire will increase. For example, in three years, men will need 105 points and women 95 points, but women will have an increase up to 100 points when they meet the final requirements of the reform, defined by Constitutional Amendment 103,” says Maleski.

  1. The Progressive Minimum Age Rule:

Another important change involves the minimum retirement age, which remains progressive in 2025. For women, the minimum age will be 59 years, while for men it will be 64 years. This age requirement will be adjusted annually, with an increase of six months per year. For example, in 2026, women will need 59 and a half years, and men, 64 and a half years.

“Furthermore, it is important to note that, for both rules, the contribution time must also be respected: 30 years for women and 35 years for men”, comments the lawyer.


How can the population prevent and plan for retirement?

Maleski's main recommendation is that workers who are close to retirement continue contributing to the INSS, especially those who have not yet met the requirements but are close to doing so. For those who lost their jobs, it is essential to maintain self-contribution using the INSS payment booklets, ensuring that the contribution time continues to be counted.

Maleski also warns about the risk of incorrect or outdated information found on the internet. "Often, online guidance may be outdated or misinterpreted. Therefore, the suggestion is that the population seek information directly from the official INSS channels, such as the phone number 135, the Meu INSS app, or the Meu INSS website," he says.

If there are discrepancies in the data from the National Social Information Registry (CNIS) or if the INSS information does not match what the worker believes to be his contribution time, a social security lawyer can be consulted for appropriate social security planning, clarifying the best options to guarantee retirement.

Maleski emphasizes that, although the changes are significant, the pension system in Brazil continues to offer retirement possibilities for different types of workers. The important thing is to be well informed and to make a good plan, to ensure that the new rules do not harm those who are close to retirement.

1...246247248...526Página 247 de 526

LATEST ARTICLES

POPULAR TOPICS

POPULAR CATEGORIES

ABOUT US

E-Commerce Update is a leading company in the Brazilian market, specialized in producing and disseminating high-quality content about the e-commerce sector.

Contact contato@ecommerceupdate.com.br

© E-Commerce Update 2024 - All rights reserved.

[elfsight_cookie_consent id="1"]