Walmart, the world’s largest retailer by sales, has expanded its global e-commerce presence, launching new websites in Latin America and China as it vies with international rivals including Amazon, Carrefour and Tesco, for sales in rapidly emerging online markets.
In Latin America, Walmart has started online retail operations in Mexico, Chile and Argentina, which together with China give it an e-commerce presence in half of the 14 countries outside the US where it currently has stores.
The retailer has described its global e-commerce initiative as a “multibillion-dollar opportunity” and has invested heavily over the past two years in creating a platform that can be easily replicated in different countries and languages.
Latin America’s consumer e-commerce market is estimated to be worth about $30bn and China’s more than $40bn, compared with the US’ $170bn. But both are expanding by high, double digit rates, supported by a growing middle-class and increased access to computers and broadband connections.
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