Stephanie Chevalier
E-commerce research and editorial expert
E-commerce in Peru – statistics & facts
In recent years, Peru has undergone a remarkable e-commerce revolution, particularly since the 2020 surge prompted by the COVID-19 outbreak. This transformation has enabled Peruvians from Cusco to Lima to access a wide range of products and services with just a few clicks. Although growth has decelerated post-pandemic, e-commerce accounted for 4.5 percent of Peru's GDP in 2022. That year, the Andean nation achieved more than 12 billion U.S. dollars in business-to-consumer (B2C) online sales, establishing itself as one of the Latin American countries with the highest e-commerce market share.
More than a trend, a new purchasing routine
In 2022, approximately 15 million Peruvians shopped online, about 2.5 more than before the pandemic. This shift to digital retailing is no longer limited to the pandemic but has become commonplace for much of Peru's population. In 2023, more than three-quarters of digital buyers engaged in this activity at least once per month. What has driven this behavior? According to a survey, e-commerce has facilitated consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions and gain valuable information from the experiences of others through reviews.A rising mobile market
Attitudes towards online shopping in Peru indicate not only a consumer preference for being well informed before buying, but also one for mobile device usage. Forecasts suggest that from 2022 to 2026, the mobile commerce market in Peru will experience a substantial 75 percent growth. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of all e-commerce transactions within the country are poised to take place on mobile devices in 2023.Purchase channels: a growing landscape
Whether they use a mobile device or a desktop computer, e-commerce sites remain the preferred online shopping platform for Peruvian digital buyers. Even so, social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp have rapidly gained ground as e-shopping channels. While Latin American companies such as Mercado Libre and Falabella are vying for the position of Peru's top online marketplaces, an increasing number of international players are entering the market with aspirations of dominating it. This trend is evident in the most downloaded shopping apps, where Chinese giants like Alibaba, AliExpress, SHEIN, and Temu have positioned themselves as top contenders in 2023.
