CDP Institute

While last year may be remembered as one of the most volatile years for Latin America retail, it will also be regarded as the period when the region surpassed all others to become the world’s fastest-growing market. Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico today are in the top 5 countries across the globe with the highest levels of growth in ecommerce. This year, Latin America is predicted by many to continue its spot as the world’s fastest-growing regional retail ecommerce market, at its rate of 25.6% this past year.

Foondamate, launched in August 2020 is helping students with limited internet, study through WhatsApp. Basically, by sending a text to the FoondaMate’s number on WhatsApp you can search anything you are confused by, get help with maths, and download practice questions and memos.

Nigerian Startup, Rensource, has created “Sabi” a B2B Marketplace that will connect informal merchants with leading service operators giving them the tools to manage and expand their businesses, and bringing these businesses online. Understanding that informal businesses drive the economies of many African countries, especially Nigeria, yet they are far behind when it comes to efficient logistics, supply chain management, business reporting tools, and access to finance, “Sabi” aims to gives these merchants access to the types of services that have previously only been accessible by formal businesses.

Microsoft has entered a “multi-year strategic alliance” with Oyo to work with the Indian startup to co-develop “next-generation” travel and hospitality products and tech. As part of this alliance, OYO will develop Smart Room experiences for travelers on the OYO platform using Microsoft’s Azure IoT.

Cloud computing infrastructure firm Linode is tripling its data centre capacity in India. The company expects a 200% increase in capacity at Mumbai facilities, which will sustain its momentum around customer acquisition and new service launches through 2023.

Forrester’s CX Index benchmarked the CX quality of 29 brands across four industries. In 2021, all three components of CX quality — effectiveness, ease of use, and emotion — were found to be negatively affected. Only 4 out of 29 brands managed to significantly improve their CX scores.

Salesforce’s customer relationship management solutions are empowering AlMalki Group, a Saudi-based family-owned business, which specializes in the luxury retail and distribution market, to digitally transform the GCC’s $29 billion e-commerce market. AlMalki Group represents more than 105 international brands both online and in boutiques.

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation has tied up with eCommerce platform EasyStore to help Malaysian businesses expand into Taiwan. The online sales campaign aims to support at least 800 local businesses to increase their sales by at least 30% and gain significant brand exposure in Taiwan. MDEC and EasyStore are working closely with the Commerce Development Research Institute of Taiwan to offer a kickstarter programme to participating local online businesses to introduce their brands and market their offerings to new market segments in Taiwan.

Buy now pay later (BNPL) platform in Asia, Atome, has launched Atome+, its in-app loyalty rewards program, in Singapore. Atome allows shoppers to split their purchases into three interest-free installments at different stores. Through Atome+, shoppers will be earning points for purchases made using Atome across online and offline retailers in Singapore. These points can be redeemed against further purchases at selected merchants, including LEGO, Kinohimitsu, PEDRO, and Melissa, or to offset future transactions.

Carsome Group has bagged US$170 million in Series D2 round of funding, bringing the company’s valuation to US$1.3 billion. This is complemented by new credit facilities of US$30 million, bringing total funds raised to US$200 million. The latest round aims to empower its strategic focus on the growth and expansion of its B2C business, as well as boost its capabilities in strategic investments and mergers and acquisitions.

The forecast: Next year, more than half (51.1%) of retail ecommerce sales in Latin America will take place on mobile devices for the first time—a figure equal to $75.65 billion. From 2016 to 2019, mobile’s share of retail ecommerce sales in Latin America about doubled from 20.9% to 40.2%.

Agibank has announced that after 20 years as a financial institution, it has evolved into Agi, a super app ecosystem that distributes Agibank products and services as well as products from other banks. This is the brainchild of Founder and CEO Marciano Testa who evolved the company into one of Brazil’s largest neobanks.