In what the company has called its biggest launch internationally, Amazon has finally started retail operations in Mexico, allowing consumers to buy millions of items. In addition to the online store, Amazon will roll out apps for Android and iPhone as well as fulfilment services, which will allow third-party sellers to reach the new marketplace with Amazon’s assistance. The retailer is also offering three of its Kindle devices in Mexico.
Amazon currently operates in India, Japan and China, so it’s hard to believe it’s only now getting around to serving a neighbouring country. One reason for this maybe that online shopping in Mexico has been slow to take off due to an unreliable postal service and the lack of available credit.
Amazon has said customers in Mexico also have the option of picking up their purchases from hundreds of locations across the country. Additionally, it will also provide several payment methods, and shortly will be offering monthly payments. Amazon said on items that are fulfilled by Amazon shipping will be free on orders above MXN 599, or roughly $38.
According to Forrester Research, ecommerce in Mexico is growing rapidly by 34% each year and the number of Mexicans buying online could increase to 18 million by 2018.
Juan Carlos García, Amazon’s Country Manager for Amazon Mexico said, “The expansion of Amazon.com.mx represents Amazon’s biggest international launch ever. With convenient and secure payment options and fast delivery, our goal is to deliver a world-class shopping experience for customers in Mexico.”
