An article recently published in Americas Market Intelligence discusses how our region is currently going through an unprecedented technological disruption . Latin America is experiencing technological disruption in all areas The article analyzes how these technological changes are affecting all areas : from politicians who can no longer prevent acts of corruption from being disclosed on Social Media, to the transportation industry completely modified with the entry of Uber, to the media losing customers thanks to the entry of services like Netflix. Additionally, the dominance of mobile technology thanks to the now ubiquitous cell phones has caused levels of transparency, efficiency and change like never seen in LATAM. He even mentions the economic theory that it was the adoption of technology and globalization that caused changes such as the election of Trump in the United States and Brexit in Great Britain.
In this way, if in competitive economies like those of those two countries, technology caused this disruption, emerging economies, with middle incomes and which often have inefficient mechanisms, may see greater consequences. Technology adoption by region In fact, Latin American economies have already shown their eagerness to adopt technology. Brazil, Mexico and Argentina are currently the second, sixth and eighth largest economies in the world, they are Email Marketing List also the ones with the greatest number of hours per week in Internet use, much of which is done through devices mobiles. Connectivity in LATAM is the last barrier, which once overcome allows the innovation that is developed in other countries to be imported instantly. Virtual products, including TV shows, movies, eBooks, video games, online courses, among many others, can be quickly translated, outperforming traditional media and oligarchic publishing structures.
For example, Brazilian electronics consumers, who traditionally pay 3 times the retail price for the same goods in the United States or Asia, can now buy their next laptop or smartphone directly from the Chinese manufacturer. Even with import tariffs, Brazilians save 30 to 40 % compared to retailers in their country. How economic inefficiencies are moving eCommerce in Latin America In fact, the author states that, although eCommerce currently represents only 2% of retail sales in LATAM, new locally developed solutions improve efficiency in eCommerce. As a result , eCommerce is growing by 20% annually, with virtual products and services growing even by 100% year on year, especially due to the fact that the latter do not have logistical obstacles. Uber, for example, grew 10-fold in ride volume in LATAM and the Caribbean from 2015 to 2016. Opportunities present in the region In fact, the article exposes the opportunities that exist, for example, outside the 10 largest cities, traditional retail options are limited.
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