According to a recent Trendsit studyand, regarding consumption, 40% of those consulted believe that we will have signs of recovery for next year. (40%).

The main findings of the survey reveal

• 48% of consumers cut back on non-essential products.
• 54% shop at different stores to take advantage of offers and promotions.
• 51% shop less frequently.
• 76% changed their usual brand for more accessible ones.

E-commerce as an engine of growth

In this framework, digital consumption is on the podium of the preferred channel. According to the latest study by CACE -Argentine Chamber of Electronic Commerce- 1,419,784 new buyers were added choosing this channel and the total rose to 23,247,989, underlining the growing preference for online shopping.

The industry as a whole saw an impressive 175% increase in turnover compared to the previous year, reaching $7,829,000 million.

Electronic commerce has experienced extraordinary expansion in recent years, marking a path of exponential growth. With total transaction value estimated at $9.3 trillion by 2027 and compound annual growth of 9.5% starting in 2022, the e-commerce landscape dazzles with staggering numbers and projections.

In Latin America, and specifically in Argentina, this phenomenon is no different. Despite economic challenges and inflation, the ecommerce market continues to expand at an impressive rate. According to data from Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI), the e-commerce market in Argentina closed 2023 with a growth of 26%, reaching US$28.2 billion, and is expected to continue growing at a compound annual rate of 22% between 2023 and 2026.

The thermometer of online consumption in the first semester

Franco Tertzakian from shipnow analyzed “the growth in trading volume increased by 5% versus the same period in 2023”.

According to operations on shipnow, The items with the most movement in the first semester were: Clothing, textiles, Sports clothing, Cosmetics and perfumery, Electronics and Food and beverages. The cities and provinces with the highest level of transactions were: AMBA Same Day, 24 hours, Córdoba – 24/48 hours, Rosario – 24/48 hours. and Mendoza – 24/48 hours.

For Alfredo Parody of Presto Tienda, “the areas with the most growth in the first semester were: Fashion-e-Apparel, Technology, Food and Beverages, Services, Home, Furniture and Garden, and Beauty and Personal Care.”

Key strategies and trends to maintain and grow in the second

For Comino, security is a key axis: Security is essential in online transactions. Faced with the increase in scams aimed at both buyers and merchants, the electronic invoice acts as an essential defense. “By providing an electronic invoice immediately after the purchase, we assure the customer that they are making a legitimate and transparent transaction,” explains the CEO of Facturante.

Tertzakian from shipnow highlighted Next Day (24 hours) and Same Day deliveries as trends. This last modality grew by 50% in the first semester and home delivery continues to be the most requested alternative.
Mariano Oriozabala CEO of infracommerce Latam, points out the importance of the evolution of 5G and connectivity for the exponential growth of digital businesses. “The improved speed and responsiveness of 5G will transform the online shopping experience, enabling fast viewing of high-resolution images and videos, as well as more efficient payment processing.”

A study by Nokia and Omdia predicts that the deployment of 5G will generate an impact close to 730 billion dollars by 2035, and commerce will be one of the most benefited industries, with an estimated increase of 75 billion dollars in income thanks to this technology.

From shipnow they point out that fullfilment and AI will be key strategies for what is to come. ¨Fulfillment allows the outsourcing of the logistics operation, and therefore, it is one of the strategies that allows brands to make processes more efficient and scale them. Having appropriate and alternative logistics solutions such as Fullfilment with the help of expert knowledge, all these resources are resolved, costs are optimized, greater volume can be handled and therefore, offer more competitive prices and better service, Tertzakian highlighted.

And he added “AI is a must. The development and implementation of artificial intelligence tools is crossing all industries and of course, logistics is not exempt. This technology allows us to improve competitiveness through the automation of production processes, such as stock management, fleets, warehouses, etc. With all this, it contributes to achieving a better user experience by having abundant information to get to know you and satisfy your demands and preferences. In addition, it impacts cost reduction and sustainable practices, since thanks to its contribution to efficiency and the implementation of better processes and delivery alternatives, it allows the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Another of the fundamental axes for the growth and sustainability of consumption from now on is the Commitment that brands demonstrate with the environment. "In the midst of an era marked by uncertainty, we are witnessing a constant reconfiguration of the link between consumers and brands. In this panorama, consumers, more informed than ever, evaluate companies for their actions and their transparency. 53% of citizens show a high commitment to sustainability, and in this context, seals and certifications, along with tools that facilitate informed decisions, emerge as key elements," he emphasized. Mariela Mociulsky CEO of Trendsity.

Thus, Entrepreneurs agree that technology, ecommerce, AI, and environmental commitment as an emerging trend have been great drivers of growth for the first half of a challenging year, and will continue to be protagonists of the second part of the year, contributing not only to commerce but also to job creation, new professions, and scalability. etc