Background on Mercado Libre and Its Relevance
Mercado Libre, a prominent e-commerce platform in Mexico, has reported a significant 70% increase in sales of essential consumer goods over the past six months. This surge reflects a shift in shopping habits among Mexican consumers.
Growth in Online Grocery Shopping
According to Mercado Libre’s data, 14% of online shoppers return to purchase the same items within the first month. This trend is driven by convenience, as consumers seek to cover basic needs and enjoy home delivery of products.
Between January 2024 and June 2025, purchases of consumer packaged goods (CPG) rose by 40% compared to the preceding 18 months. The platform attributes this growth to rapid delivery, exclusive discounts, and the ease of ordering via mobile devices.
Consumer Priorities Shift
Mercado Libre highlighted that Mexican consumers now prioritize speed, convenience, personalization, and reliability in their shopping experiences. The platform noted that consumers value solutions saving time, offering exclusive promotions, and providing efficient shopping experiences across all devices.
On average, shoppers order 3.3 items per transaction, focusing on essential products to meet their basic needs.
Popular Product Categories
- Baby and Adult Diapers: High demand for disposable diapers.
- Toilet Paper: Consistently popular among Mexican shoppers.
- Detergents: Essential cleaning supplies in high demand.
- Packaged Foods: Mexicans increasingly opt for convenient, packaged meals.
- Beverages: Including traditional Mexican drinks like tequila, which saw over 321,000 liters sold in a year.
- Personal Care Products: Growing interest in hair treatments, facial serums, and nutritional supplements.
Importance of Imported Goods
Mexican consumers show a strong preference for imported goods, such as Korean ramen. This trend underscores the growing global influence on local consumer preferences.
Expanding Customer Base
Mercado Libre welcomed over 2 million new CPG shoppers last year. The states with the highest activity include the Greater Mexico City area, Estado de México, Jalisco, Nuevo León, and Guanajuato.
Future Outlook
E-commerce experts predict that this shift towards online grocery shopping will continue to grow in the coming years. Factors driving this trend include increased internet access, improved delivery services, and families adapting to new consumption patterns, according to Statista.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is driving the increase in online grocery shopping in Mexico? The shift is driven by convenience, rapid delivery, exclusive discounts, and the ease of mobile shopping.
- Which product categories are experiencing the most growth? Popular items include diapers, toilet paper, packaged foods, beverages (like tequila), and personal care products.
- How many new shoppers joined the CPG category on Mercado Libre last year? Over 2 million new shoppers entered the CPG category on Mercado Libre in the previous year.
- What is the projected growth trajectory for online grocery shopping in Mexico? Experts anticipate continued growth due to increased internet access, improved delivery services, and evolving consumer preferences.
