With the advent of digital technology, online shopping, particularly in Latin American countries like Brazil and Chile, has seen a considerable rise. The COVID-19 pandemic further fueled this trend, with WhatsApp emerging as a popular platform for business transactions.
The convenience of online purchases and a surge in e-commerce has left a lasting imprint on the retail industry, forcing businesses to expand their digital footprint. This transformation has been especially noticeable in sectors like fashion, food delivery, and electronics.
WhatsApp’s role as a conduit for business transactions in Latin American commerce has been significantly enhanced. The platform allows users to communicate directly with businesses, making it an indispensable tool for retailers in Brazil and Chile.
During the pandemic, online shopping came to the fore as stringent lockdown measures and health concerns led people to choose online shopping over physical stores. This induced a shift in consumer behavior, and as a result, integration of technology became a top priority for businesses.
Meanwhile, the tools provided by Mercately, a tool that merges messaging and e-commerce, allows businesses to operate from WhatsApp seamlessly.
WhatsApp’s role in Latin America’s e-commerce boom
It partners with reliable platforms like Stripe and HubSpot and uses AI for live customer engagement, stock checking, payment processing, and order generation within WhatsApp, thus enhancing the overall customer experience.
Mercately witnessed an evolution in 2021 when an Ecuadorian client achieved 90% of their sales via WhatsApp following the advice of Mercately’s co-founder, Henry Remache. Drawing on this success, Mercately began specialising in WhatsApp-powered sales, helping its clients tap into WhatsApp’s extensive user base.
Presently, Mercately works with over 1,000 companies across 20 countries, overcoming obstacles like fragmented markets and fluctuating currencies to surpass $1.5 million in annual revenues. Its innovative approach provides a solution for businesses in Latin America, allowing for efficient transactions and scalability while also keeping track of business operations. Mercately plans to continue exploring and leveraging new technologies, expanding their reach and maximizing productivity.
Mercately recently secured $2.6 million in seed funding from Inventus Capital Partners and SVQuad, alongside other investors. These funds will be utilized to hire additional AI engineers, broaden the company’s presence in Brazil and the U.S., and drive the research and development of new products.
Despite challenges, Mercately continues to thrive. With a keen focus on product improvement and customer satisfaction, the startup is working towards revolutionizing how businesses communicate with their customers in Latin America.
