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Brazil Succumbs to the Retail Apocalypse It Staved Off for Years

Though e-commerce reshaped retailing in the US and Europe even before the pandemic, a confluence of economic, financial and logistical circumstances kept the South American nation insulated from the trend until later.
A Mercado Libre van makes deliveries. Shutterstock
Once dominated by billionaire-backed blue chips, Brazil’s retail sector is teetering under piles of debt. (Shutterstock)

The retail shakeout has reached Brazil, where local players are starting to restructure and consolidate amid stiff competition from foreign giants like Amazon, MercadoLibre Inc. and Shein Group Ltd.

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Further Reading

Amazon Expands in Brazil

After five years of just selling books in the country, Amazon is now launching an electronics and appliances marketplace.

Alibaba Gains Ground in Brazil

SAO PAULO, Brazil — Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., China's largest e-commerce company, is emerging in Brazil as a challenger to entrenched foreign

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