The Panorama 2025 survey, conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham Brasil) in partnership with Humanizadas, reveals that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high performance will be the main business trends in the coming year. Among the 733 companies interviewed, 67% identify AI as the most disruptive technology for 2025, and 47% prioritize high performance as a critical success factor.

With a focus on the regional landscape in Minas Gerais, the survey highlights that 87% of the respondent companies in the state are medium and large-sized, predominantly in the service (54%) and industry (32%) sectors. For the next year, Minas Gerais companies stand out for valuing productive efficiency (66% versus 47% nationally) and for focusing on training and hiring talent (53% versus 35% nationally).

"The data reinforce that companies in Minas Gerais are attentive to technological transformations and the strengthening of their operations," evaluates Douglas Arantes, regional manager of Amcham in Minas Gerais. We are monitoring the national evolution in the fields of AI and high performance, while our regional market stands out for its focus on people and productivity, which are essential points for the sustainable growth of local companies.

Trend ranking and innovation maturity

In addition to AI and high performance, the research also ranked other essential trends for 2025: Sustainability (46%), Digitalization of Products and Services (43%), and Risk Management (42%). Among Minas Gerais entrepreneurs, 77% consider people management a priority area for growth, reinforcing the importance of strategies that combine innovation with human development.

The survey also shows moderate optimism regarding business growth for 2025, with 50% of respondents projecting a revenue increase of over 10% – a 7 percentage point jump compared to expectations for 2024. Despite this optimism, 68% of entrepreneurs see economic stagnation as the main challenge, followed by inflation and political stability.

With an innovation readiness index of 64%, Brazilian companies are in an intermediate stage of preparation for the digital and innovative era. This index, which measures companies' ability to adopt innovative technologies and practices, reflects maturity in essential areas such as business model, management, and innovation culture. Minas Gerais follows this trend, with a focus on digital transformation (77%), while products and services are still seen as areas with great development potential.

The research findings highlight the importance of a business strategy that combines technology, efficient management and continued investment in human capital for sustainable success in 2025.

Access the full survey at the link:https://amchambrasil.powerappsportals.com/panorama-2025/ 

Black Friday 2024, scheduled for November 29th, promises to be a turning point for e-commerce in Brazil. The event, already established in the country's consumption calendar, generates great anticipation among consumers and companies, who await an explosion of sales driven by significant discounts on products and services across various sectors.

The study ofMindMiners, entitled “Who’s Buying?”,reveals increasingly firm consumer behavior trends. According to the survey, 60% of consumers feel motivated to purchase products or services when they receive coupons or discount codes. Additionally, 49% of respondents prefer to wait for promotions and significant offers, while another 49% choose stores that offer cashback or rewards programs. These data confirm the strength of Black Friday as a strategic opportunity to save and optimize consumption.

The survey was conducted with the participation of 1,500 people, men and women, aged 18+, from ABC classes, from all regions of Brazil, and provided important insights into expectations and purchasing habits. One noteworthy fact is that, although most buyers expect lower prices during the event, 42% trust the accuracy of the promotions, indicating a growing confidence in the sale period.

Furthermore, 30% of consumers monitor the prices of products they wish to purchase in advance, starting to monitor them between two months and one month before the official date, which highlights careful planning in the search for good opportunities.

The research also revealed that 38% of consumers set aside part of their annual budget to spend during Black Friday, while 29% end up making impulse purchases. Since the event occurs close to the end-of-year festivities, 56% of respondents use the date to prepare for Christmas and New Year's. Additionally, 53% take advantage of discounts to buy items that would normally not fit into their budget, but which become affordable with the offers.

"Black Friday cannot be seen only as a discount date; it is essential to understand consumer behavior during this period," says MindMiners' CMO, Danielle Almeida. "With the increase in prices of products and services in the country, understanding buyers' expectations and financial situation is essential to providing a satisfying shopping experience," he adds.

What do Brazilians want to buy?

When asked about the categories of greatest interest for Black Friday, 36% of respondents stated that electronics are the most desired items. Home appliances come right after, with 30% preference, followed by fashion and accessories, which attract 29% of consumers. These results show that the pursuit of technology, practicality, and style remains strong among Brazilian buyers.

Another relevant aspect pointed out by the research is the change in the place of purchase. During Black Friday, the preference for e-commerce is notable, with 63% of consumers choosing to shop online. On the other hand, 37% still prefer physical stores, 14% plan to make purchases through social media, and 8% mentioned they will resort to direct sales.

What are your favorite Black Friday brands?

Regarding the most remembered brands by consumers during the promotion period, Amazon, Americanas, and Magalu lead, each with 17% of mentions. Other prominent brands were Casas Bahia (12%) and Samsung (9%).

Compared to Black Friday the previous year, Samsung was the most remembered brand, mentioned spontaneously by 24% of those interviewed, followed by Electrolux (6%), Nike (5%), Adidas (4%) and Mondial (4%).

Besides being a chance to save money, Black Friday is also seen by consumers as an opportunity to try new products. About 48% of respondents showed interest in testing items they normally would not buy outside of this promotional context.

Everyone wins: consumers and companies

The data indicates that Black Friday has established itself as one of the main shopping opportunities in Brazil. For consumers, this is the ideal time to purchase products with attractive discounts, as well as to try new brands and categories. With the approach of the holiday season, the date becomes even more significant, whether for those looking to save on Christmas shopping or for those seeking products that usually don't fit within their budget.

For companies, Black Friday represents a unique opportunity to attract new customers, retain existing ones, and increase sales in a short period of time. Brands that stand out with good offers, efficient service, and a smooth shopping experience, especially in e-commerce, will have greater chances of capitalizing on consumers' strategic behavior.

With expectations on the rise and buyers increasingly aware of opportunities, Black Friday 2024 has everything it needs to move the market and reaffirm its status as the main consumer event of the year in Brazil.

For Black Friday 2024, Brazilian consumers adopted a more critical and cautious stance towards promotions. A Hibou survey, a company specialized in monitoring and consumer insights, with 1,200 respondents across Brazil, indicates that 62% of participants see Black Friday as a "Black Fraud," suspecting that prices are manipulated through artificial increases before the event. The research also reveals learning trends, including spending planning, and also shows categories of products that consumers intend to buy.

Morestrategy, less momentum

For Brazilians, Black Friday requires more than just a click on the last Friday of November. 51% of Brazilians note down prices in advance to compare on the day of the retail event. Additionally, 55% of people search for content beforehand on websites with price comparisons. Already, 23% of consumers prepare product lists in advance, and 13% use price alerts to check for discounts.

Distrust is on the rise

For 62% of people, retail tricks consumers by raising product prices before the date. Furthermore, 4 out of 10 people claim that everything is very expensive and believe that it will not be different during Black Friday.

"The consumer is more demanding and informed. Black Friday has become a date of great expectations, but Brazilians are more selective and prioritize trustworthy brands," says Lígia Mello, CSO of Hibou and research coordinator. "This year's emphasis is on conscious consumption and fair prices."

Only if you have an advantage

For 61% of consumers, the best benefits of Black Friday are the big discounts.4 out of 10 Brazilians believe it is an opportunity to compare products, and 30% consider free shipping one of the main attractions of the date.

Environmental responsibility

Consumers are not only attentive to prices but also to brands' care for the environment. (63%) of the population claims that brands with social and environmental initiatives will be preferred for purchase

Spend, but spend little

Despite the appeal of the date, consumers intend to keep spending under control: 26% plan to spend between R$500 and R$1,000. Already 23% intend to spend between R$1,000 and R$3,000. For 22%, the limit is between R$250 and R$500, while only 7% plan to spend more than R$3,000.

“Even with greater control over spending by consumers, dates for national retail, Black Friday is the one with the highest average ticket between 500 and 1,000 reais, so far, in 2024” explains Ligia Mello.

Time to pamper yourself

Purchases are personally focused: of the 44% who plan to buy during Black Friday and the 38% who have not yet decided, 92% will invest in products for themselves. The main motivations for the date are to take advantage of good opportunities (51%) and to acquire products they do not yet have (30%), followed by the chance to replace old items (17%) and to get ahead on Christmas presents (13%).

What you won't miss on your shopping list

40% of respondents plan to buy appliances, 36% clothing, and 30% electronics. Perfumes and cosmetics (26%) and food (25%) are also on the wish list. When asked spontaneously, the most desired products are cell phones, leading with 20%, followed by Smart TVs (18%) and refrigerators (10%).Additionally, this year, items such as sneakers and washing machines grew by more than 5 percentage points compared to 2023.

Family gossip about offers

Exchanging information is also part of the preparation: 60% of Brazilians share or receive offers from friends and family, reinforcing the search for promotions from close sources with the ultimate purpose of good shopping opportunities.

One-click or one-step purchase?

Following the online behavior already integrated into Brazilians' shopping routines, the most mentioned retail channels for this year were Amazon with 49% of purchase intentions and Mercado Livre with 60%.Another 42% prefer platforms like Shopee and Shein.

Those who prefer to check offers in person, 49% prefer well-known street stores, while 38% opt for stores they frequent in shopping centers. For another 29%, a trip to the mall can turn into a shopping opportunity. And 26% start their digital journey by looking at promotions and thus decide where they want to shop.

“This year we also noticed a greater concern among consumers in prioritizing small businesses, which was the decision of 41% of Brazilians,” says Lígia Mello.