Mercado Libre has unveiled plans to invest $6.4 billion (BRL 34 billion) in Brazil in 2025—marking the largest single-country investment in the company’s history. The move aims to bolster its position in Brazil amid intensifying competition from Chinese e-commerce giants.

The Latin American e-commerce leader intends to expand its rapid delivery capabilities—same-day and next-day services—particularly in Brazil’s northeastern and southern regions. The plan includes the launch of four new distribution centers in São Paulo, as well as in Ceará, Bahia, Paraná, Pernambuco, and the Federal District. These areas have emerged as key battlegrounds against rising players such as Shopee, Shein, and Temu.

Brazil Drives Growth with $12 Billion in Annual Revenue

In 2024, Mercado Libre generated approximately $12 billion in revenue from Brazil alone, accounting for 54% of its global total. Of this, $7.5 billion was attributed to its core e-commerce operations, while $4.5 billion came from its fintech arm, Mercado Pago.

Senior Vice President Fernando Yunes noted that a significant portion of the new investment will be allocated to strengthening logistics infrastructure. “We had previously announced plans to grow from 10 to 21 distribution centers by the end of 2025. We’ve already reached 17 and are now evaluating a target of 25 or even 27 by year’s end,” Yunes said.

Job Expansion and Diversified Growth Ahead

Mercado Libre is also set to ramp up hiring in Brazil, aiming to increase its workforce from 36,000 to 50,000 by the end of 2025. The company emphasized that the entire investment will be self-financed, requiring no capital injections from its headquarters.

Beyond logistics and e-commerce, the company’s omnichannel strategy includes investments in digital payments, credit solutions, loyalty programs, and its streaming and entertainment platform, Meli+.

Chinese E-Commerce May Pivot to Latin America

A new U.S. import rule—effective May 2—introducing a 30% tariff on goods shipped directly from China worth up to $800, is expected to push Chinese platforms to pivot towards Latin America. While competition may rise, Mercado Libre says its robust investment plans are designed to shield the company from potential disruptions. The move underscores the company’s ambition to cement its dominance in Latin America’s digital retail space.

Trump Administration Ends Duty-Free Status for E-Commerce Shipments from China

Amazon has introduced its new artificial intelligence shopping agent feature “Buy for Me“. The feature helps customers find and purchase products from the websites of other brands. The new beta feature allows customers to purchase products that Amazon does not directly sell, from the retail sites of other brands using Amazon’s shopping apps.

The Buy for Me feature is activated when Amazon does not sell the product the users are looking for. The new AI agent will find and present to users the products that are not available on Amazon from other websites. Then, users will choose one of these products and place a purchase request without leaving the Amazon Shopping app.

How does the Buy for Me feature work?

The new “artificial intelligence shopping agent” has the potential to allow Amazon to further grow its e-commerce business. So, how will the Buy for Me feature work? The shopping agent will visit an external website in the background. The user will select the requested product. Then, by entering the username, delivery address and payment information, the user will purchase the product via the agent.

The Buy for Me shopping feature is supported by Amazon’s Nova AI models and Claude from Anthropic. Nova Act, one of these models, can autonomously use websites. The Buy for Me feature uses encryption for the security of billing information on third-party sites. Thus, Amazon cannot see which product is being ordered from external platforms.

The Buy for Me feature has started testing with a specific user group. Buy for Me has been offered to a U.S. customer group on both iOS and Android platforms within the Amazon Shopping app. Testing will begin with a limited number of brand stores and products. Based on feedback, it is planned to expand to more customers and brand stores.

Amazon: We want to make it easier for customers to find any product they want

Amazon shared the following in a blog post about the topic: “Amazon offers a very wide selection of hundreds of millions of products in more than 35 categories, including home goods, clothing, electronics, media, beauty, food, sports and outdoor products, automotive, and everyday essentials — with 300 million fast and free Prime delivery options. While we already offer a wide product range, we want to make it easier for customers to find any product they want. That’s why we are testing the new ‘Buy for Me’ feature in beta in the Amazon Shopping app. The Buy for Me feature helps customers discover and seamlessly purchase specific products that are not currently sold in the Amazon store from other brand sites.”

“It offers more visibility and smooth conversion opportunities to brands”

Amazon Shopping Director Oliver Messenger said: “We’re constantly working to find new ways to make shopping even easier. We developed the ‘Buy for Me’ feature to help customers quickly and easily find and purchase products we currently don’t sell in the Amazon store from other brand stores. This feature uses AI to enable customers to shop seamlessly from other brands in a familiar environment — the Amazon Shopping app. At the same time, it offers more visibility and smooth conversion opportunities to brands.”

TikTok Shop, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, continues to grow in Europe. The Chinese TikTok Shop offers opportunities for businesses of all sizes and is adding new markets to its portfolio. TikTok Shop, part of the video-sharing platform TikTok, was officially made available to sellers in Germany, France, and Italy on March 31, 2025. Applications for sellers to join the platform started at the end of February.

Launched in Europe’s Largest E-Commerce Markets

TikTok’s shopping arm, TikTok Shop, has been active in the United Kingdom since 2021. From December 2023, it was also launched in Spain and Ireland. With these new markets, the platform has expanded to six countries in Europe. These countries represent the five largest e-commerce markets in Europe. The platform is expected to expand to more European countries. It reaches over 72 million users in these countries.

In the countries where TikTok Shop is active, sellers are supported with inventory management and order processing. The “Fulfilled by TikTok” (FBT) service has been available in the United Kingdom for some time. This service is expected to be launched in Germany, Spain, Italy, and France.

Partnerships with Zalando in Germany, Cabaia in France

TikTok is collaborating with About You, acquired by Zalando Group in Germany, and Nivea, owned by Beiersdorf, in Germany. In France, the company is working with bag manufacturer Cabaia and eyewear manufacturer Izipizi, while in Italy, it is partnering with the sustainable beauty brand Goovi. The platform, which also targets small businesses, allows SMEs and local businesses to benefit from a fully integrated e-commerce solution, thus gaining unprecedented business opportunities.

TikTok’s Future in the U.S. Is at Risk

TikTok Shop is available in many countries outside Europe, including the United Kingdom, Thailand, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. TikTok’s shopping feature launched in the U.S. in September 2023. The platform saw significant sales during the 2024 holiday season. However, the platform’s future in the U.S. is uncertain! ByteDance needs to find an American buyer. Otherwise, it may be discontinued.

On the other hand, e-commerce federations in some European countries are requesting measures to protect e-commerce companies from platforms like Temu, Shein, and TikTok Shop. Concerns about “unfair competition” have grown, especially in light of the trade tariffs imposed by the United States.

What is TikTok Shop?

TikTok Shop is a platform where users can sell via live broadcasts and earn commissions from sales. TikTok Shop, TikTok’s shopping feature, allows users to discover products and purchase them at any time without leaving the app. In TikTok’s “Store” tab, customers can search for specific products, discover current promotions, manage orders, and receive personalized recommendations. Users under the age of 18 cannot access content linking to products on TikTok’s shopping feature. The platform has announced that it will conduct “active moderation” on this matter.

The video-focused social media platform establishes a “unique connection” that increases sales between sellers, influencers, and users. This model is called the “Discovery E-Commerce” model. Product discovery occurs naturally through interest-driven content. This model offers a new shopping approach in social media e-commerce. TikTok’s shopping features are directly integrated into personal video feeds and live content. This way, brands obtain virtual storefronts where products and reviews are grouped together. The platform aims to expand its product range and pricing diversity.

Temu Announces Partnership with Correos in Spain

Dharmesh Mehta, Vice President of Amazon Global Selling Partner Services, wrote an article on the fifth Amazon Brand Protection Report. Mehta stated that since 2021, Amazon’s annual Brand Protection Report has showcased its efforts to protect customers, brands, and partners from counterfeit products. He also added: “In its fifth year, the report continues to demonstrate how the combination of industry-leading technology and strategic partnerships successfully stops bad actors and creates impact beyond the Amazon store.”

Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit (CCU) is a global team dedicated to disrupting counterfeiters and their networks by partnering with law enforcement, brands, and other stakeholders. Mehta noted that in 2024, Amazon invested over $1 billion in brand protection; employed thousands of people dedicated to combating fraud, counterfeiting, and other abuses, including machine learning scientists, software developers, and expert researchers.

Amazon’s Brand Protection Strategy

Amazon’s brand protection strategy focuses on four main areas: • Strong and highly effective proactive efforts to protect the store, • Industry-leading tools to help rights holders better protect their brands, • Progress in holding bad actors accountable, • Customer protection and education.

Mehta said, “This has been a years-long journey, and we continue to make great strides in stopping counterfeiting.”

Highlights from the Brand Protection Report

• 99% of Suspicious Listings Blocked

Through its investment in artificial intelligence, Amazon has automated and scaled intellectual property protection and counterfeiting detection systems, improving its proactive controls. Amazon’s proactive controls blocked over 99% of suspicious infringement listings before a brand had to find and report them. Since 2020, while the number of products offered has increased, the total number of valid infringement notifications sent by brands has decreased by approximately 35%.

• Over 2.5 Billion Product Units Verified

Amazon launched an application programming interface (API) for Transparency, which automates the process for brands to register and manage their products. Through Amazon’s Transparency program, over 2.5 billion product units have been verified as authentic. Worldwide, 88,000 brands have registered, including Fortune 500 companies, global brands, startups, and small businesses.

• Over 15 Million Counterfeit Products Detected

By partnering with brands and law enforcement, Amazon has been able to hold more bad actors accountable. Since the launch of its Counterfeit Crimes Unit in 2020, Amazon has tracked over 24,000 bad actors through cases and criminal referrals to law enforcement. In 2024, Amazon detected, seized, and properly disposed of over 15 million counterfeit products globally, preventing them from harming customers or being resold in the retail supply chain.

“We Won’t Rest Until Counterfeiting Is Reduced to Zero”

Dharmesh Mehta concluded his statement, saying, “We are proud of the progress we have made in preventing counterfeiting in the Amazon store. This required significant innovation and determination, and it would not have been possible without the partnerships we’ve established with brands, associations, policymakers, law enforcement, and others. We are committed to continued progress and will not rest until we reduce counterfeiting to zero.”

Fan Jin, Director and General Manager of Amazon Autos, stated in an interview with the Automotive News Daily Drive podcast that adding used car inventory for dealers is their next major goal.

“Auto dealers will have an online e-commerce channel”

When asked how Amazon Autos plans to compete with existing platforms where dealers can list their used cars, Jin responded: “We see the Amazon Autos service as a way for dealers to have a fully online e-commerce channel. This goes beyond just being a lead generation site.”

Jin continued: “We find this valuable because demographic customer data shows that more consumers are quite comfortable with a fully online vehicle transaction. Customers want a multi-channel experience. It can take some time for people to make a decision. So, they may start online, then choose to visit a dealership to see and test-drive the vehicle. Later, they might return home, think about it, and then complete the purchase online. We see this happening very often.”

Jin also emphasized that Amazon Autos aims to make the online used car sales process as seamless as possible.

Car Sales on Amazon Autos Began with Hyundai!

The company started introducing the Amazon Autos service in December. It announced its goal of integrating the Amazon experience into the vehicle purchasing process by collaborating with automotive dealers and brands.

Amazon launched this digital shopping experience in partnership with Hyundai. It enabled shoppers in 48 U.S. cities to purchase new Hyundai vehicles from participating local dealers through Amazon. At the time, the company stated that Amazon Autos planned to add more Hyundai dealerships as well as other manufacturers, brands, and cities.

Amazon Autos allows car buyers to browse vehicles, place orders, arrange financing, and schedule a pickup date from participating local dealerships. Additionally, they can receive instant valuation for their existing vehicles and trade them in. For dealers, this service provides a new sales channel while also streamlining the steps of the process.

“We are working day and night to improve the car buying experience”

A statement on the AmazonAutos website read: “We are working day and night to create a better car buying experience for customers. Amazon Autos is currently available in select metro areas, but we are continuously adding new locations, new dealers, new brands, and new features. In the meantime, visit the Hyundai Showroom on Amazon to explore Hyundai models and features.”

Amazon has launched an e-commerce site called Amazon.ie, specifically for online consumers in Ireland. Following its announcement in May 2024, the e-commerce giant officially opened the Amazon.ie website. The site offers more than 200 million products priced in euros for Irish customers.

“We Are Proud of the Amazon.ie Launch”

Alison Dunn, Country Manager of Amazon Ireland, stated, “Our teams across the country are incredibly proud and excited to bring Amazon.ie to life. This store offers Irish customers a wide range of products with fast delivery, great deals, and savings, as well as local Prime membership opportunities. It also provides Irish businesses with numerous chances to reach more customers. We have been working towards this moment since the opening of our distribution center in Dublin in 2022, and we are eagerly looking forward to writing the next chapter of our story in Ireland.”

Amazon Has Invested Over $24 Billion in Operations in Ireland

Amazon has also launched an “Ireland Brands” page in collaboration with the Irish government’s business development agency, Enterprise Ireland, featuring products from local companies. Among the Irish brands featured at the launch are Barry’s Tea, Bewley’s, and independent fitness brand Swifter.

Currently, Amazon employs approximately 6,500 people across various fields such as data engineering, operations management, and finance in Cork, Dublin, and Drogheda. Since 2004, Amazon has invested more than $24 billion directly in its operations in Ireland and has opened six facilities nationwide.

In 2023, Irish small businesses selling on Amazon achieved over $185 million in export sales, with more than half of these sales going to countries outside the EU. According to Amazon, these businesses created more than 2,500 new jobs in Ireland to support Amazon operations.

Amazon Prime Benefits

Customers in Ireland can enjoy one-day delivery on millions of products. Additionally, they can shop with local pricing and without additional customs fees. Amazon.ie customers can also join the Prime membership program for approximately $7.60 (monthly) or $76 (annually). This membership offers fast, free delivery as well as exclusive benefits such as Prime Day deals and shopping events.

Irish Amazon customers with UK Prime memberships can switch to the new system, with UK Prime memberships automatically canceled and fees refunded. All Irish customers transitioning to or signing up for Amazon.ie Prime can take advantage of a 30-day free trial.

Amazon Türkiye Promises Growth for SMEs!

The Chinese marketplace AliExpress has announced a significant expansion of payment options for online consumers in Africa. Last year, the company introduced some local mobile payment methods. This move has pleased consumers seeking better access to cross-border e-commerce.

Starting in March, AliExpress has expanded the ability to pay in local currency in several African countries, including Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Ethiopia, Morocco, and Tanzania. This initiative, which provides local consumers with a smoother and more secure payment experience, was launched during AliExpress’s biggest promotion of the year, running from March 17 to 26. During this period, consumers will be able to take advantage of numerous coupon offers and the convenience of paying in their local currency.

AliExpress Has Taken Significant Steps in Africa Over the Past Year

Over the past year, AliExpress has made significant efforts to enhance the customer experience in Africa. Last year, the company successfully integrated card payments with “M-Pesa” in Kenya and with “Opay” and “Verve” in Nigeria. Currently, users in South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and Tanzania can receive their cross-border orders within just 10 days. Additionally, the company established its first African showroom in Ethiopia, creating a space where wholesale buyers can physically inspect selected products and place orders directly.

“We Are Excited to Connect African Consumers with Our Products”

AliExpress Business Development Director Bonny Zhao stated, “AliExpress offers a vast range of products from hundreds of thousands of sellers, and we are excited to connect African consumers with our products through initiatives such as local currency payment integration.” He also added, “Cross-border e-commerce can sometimes be challenging for consumers due to shopping, payment, and logistics complexities. Our commitment is to simplify these processes, making global e-commerce more accessible and enjoyable for this dynamic market.”

Jiji, one of Africa’s leading classifieds and e-commerce platforms, is launching operations in Bangladesh. Planning to establish a strong team in the country, Jiji does not offer inventory or logistics services but enables sellers to reach price-sensitive buyers through listings. The platform aims to expand further in Asia in the coming days. Jiji currently has offices in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Warsaw, Dubai, and Kyiv.

As one of Africa’s top classifieds and e-commerce marketplaces based on gross revenue, Jiji is preparing to launch its successful classifieds-based online marketplace in Bangladesh. The company plans to expand further across Asia in the near future.

Jiji Has 12 Million Monthly Active Users in Africa

In a statement, Jiji announced, “Thanks to its successful premium listing packages for sellers, Jiji has become a market leader in various regions with a total population of 400 million. Currently, it has 12 million monthly active users and 200,000 business sellers in African markets.”

Jiji had previously acquired “OLX” and “Cars45” businesses. Strengthening its dominance on the continent with these acquisitions, the platform also integrated Ghana’s Tonaton business into its ecosystem. Headquartered in Warsaw, Jiji employs over a thousand people and operates offices in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Warsaw, Dubai, and Kyiv. The company is now planning to build a strong local team in Bangladesh.

The company aims to replicate its success in Africa within Bangladesh. Leveraging its financial strength, resources, and expertise in building profitable e-commerce businesses, Jiji plans to expand in Bangladesh, a market with similar dynamics. Some of the most popular classified platforms in Bangladesh include Bikroy, Bproperty, and Ekhanei. Jiji will compete with these platforms in the new market.

“Bangladesh Offers a Significant Long-Term Growth Opportunity”

Jiji Co-Founder and CEO Anton Volianskyi stated, “With its dynamic economy, rapidly growing digital adoption, expanding middle class, and still largely untapped e-commerce market, Bangladesh presents a significant long-term growth opportunity.” Highlighting the company’s rapid international expansion strategy, Volianskyi added, “We have extensively analyzed the Bangladesh market and see a great opportunity. Although there are existing players, we do not see a competitor that has fully implemented the classifieds marketplace model to its full potential.” He also expressed confidence that Jiji could become the market leader in Bangladesh within a short period.

“70% of Bangladesh’s E-commerce Market Remains Untapped”

Without maintaining its own inventory or logistics, Jiji facilitates sellers in reaching a broad base of price-sensitive buyers through listings. The company has registered its local subsidiary in Bangladesh and plans to invest millions of dollars to secure a significant share in the e-commerce market and establish itself as the leading classifieds platform. Additionally, Jiji is planning to expand into two or three more Asian markets within the next one to two years.

Jiji currently hosts 7 million active listings in Africa, where it holds a leading position in vehicle and real estate categories. The company noted that 70% of Bangladesh’s e-commerce market remains untapped and projected that the country’s e-commerce sector will surpass $12 billion by 2029. It also emphasized that the young, tech-savvy population and accelerating digital transformation will contribute to market growth. The statement further highlighted, “Classified platforms work well in emerging economies where price-sensitive consumers prefer direct transactions.”