X
Tech

World Cup to boost e-commerce in Brazil in 2014

The segment should generate almost R$40bi in business due to the sporting events
Written by Angelica Mari, Contributing Writer

The World Cup should provide a boost to the Brazilian e-commerce segment, with a 27 percent increase in 2014 in relation to last year's figures and R$39,5bi ($16,6bi) in business predicted for 2014.

According to the Brazilian E-Commerce Association (ABComm), investments in local infrastructure and 4G should increase the numbers of Brazilians buying online during the year of the football tournament.

"The World Cup should boost mainly sales of electronics and sporting goods, which are already strong in [Brazilian] e- commerce," says ABComm president Mauricio Salvador.

Last year, the BRazilian e-commerce segment generated R$31,1bi ($13.1bi) in business, a 29 percent grown in relation to the prior year, with 53 million people purchasing items online. The most popular product categories were fashion and accessories, home appliances, health and beauty, electronics and personal computing items.

"Despite the slowing economy and the increasing levels of personal debt in Brazil, the national e- commerce gained ten million new customers in 2013, which helped maintain the industry's average growth rates of recent years," says Salvador.

Until very recently, e-commerce was not a regulated activity in Brazil. Last year, rules have come into force to address consumer issues related to the segment in what is the first set of guidelines for any business wanting to sell online in the country.

Editorial standards