Ecommerce Business Insights in Peru
Peru’s ecommerce sector has seen significant growth, with online retail projected to exceed USD 5 billion by 2025. Increasing internet access, smartphone usage, and digital trust are driving consumer adoption.
Key insights:
- Mobile Shopping: Over 75% of online purchases are made on mobile devices, making responsive design critical for Shopify stores.
- Top Categories: Fashion, electronics, home appliances, beauty, and natural wellness products are among the best-sellers.
- Consumer Behavior: Peruvian shoppers value cash-on-delivery options, detailed product descriptions, and secure checkout flows.
- Digital Trends: Social commerce via WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram is gaining traction, especially among younger buyers.
- Cross-Border Influence: Shoppers are increasingly engaging with international products, especially from the US, but prefer localized payment and shipping options.
Shopify Ecosystem & Support in Peru
Peru’s Shopify ecosystem is in the early growth phase, with expanding support from local agencies and international experts.
- Local Experts: Agencies and freelancers in Lima and major cities assist with store setup, localization, and custom Shopify development.
- Multilingual Capability: While most stores operate in Spanish, Shopify apps support multilingual sites to reach wider audiences in Latin America.
- Business Programs: Government initiatives such as Perú Produce and Innovate Perú are encouraging small businesses to digitize using platforms like Shopify.
- Regional Expansion: Many Peruvian stores use Shopify to sell across Latin America, especially to Colombia, Chile, and Mexico.
Major Shipping Partners for Shopify Stores in Peru
Shipping efficiency is vital in a country with diverse geography, from coastal cities to mountainous and jungle regions.
Key shipping providers:
- Serpost: The national postal service, used for both domestic and international shipping with basic tracking.
- Olva Courier: A reliable private courier offering domestic coverage with Shopify-compatible integrations.
- Shalom Express: Known for package tracking and inter-provincial delivery services.
- DHL Express Peru: Offers reliable global shipping, ideal for Shopify merchants with cross-border customers.
- Urbano Express: Specializes in last-mile and urban delivery in Lima and nearby areas.
These services can be integrated into Shopify for label printing, delivery rate calculation, and order tracking.
Major Payment Gateways for Shopify Stores in Peru
Peruvian shoppers prefer a mix of modern and traditional payment methods, especially those that support local banks and cash payments.
Popular gateways include:
- Culqi: A Peruvian gateway offering credit/debit card payments, recurring billing, and Shopify integration.
- Niubiz: Widely adopted across Peru, this gateway supports secure online card transactions and is compatible with Shopify.
- PagoEfectivo: Allows users to pay with cash at banks or convenience stores, helping reach customers without credit cards.
- Mercado Pago: Offers wallets, card payments, and installment options with growing popularity across Latin America.
- PayPal: Used for international transactions, especially by shoppers ordering from abroad.
- Stripe (via Shopify Payments): Supports card transactions in USD and international currencies for broader reach.
These gateways ensure compliance with local banking regulations and cater to Peru’s mix of digital and cash-preferred shoppers.
Popular Shopify Apps for Ecommerce Stores in Peru
To run efficient, conversion-optimized stores, Peruvian merchants use a combination of global and regional Shopify apps.
Frequently used apps include:
- Easy Bundles: Allows merchants to create dynamic product bundles, boosting average order value.
- Fly Bundles: Offers pre-packaged product sets and upsell features customized for Peruvian buying behavior.
- Checkout Wiz: Optimizes the checkout experience with cash-on-delivery toggles, discount fields, and post-purchase flows.
- Kite: Enables conversion-boosting features like cart recovery, personalized promotions, and A/B testing.
- Culqi Gateway Integration: For smooth setup of local payment systems.
- Judge.me: Helps build trust through verified reviews in Spanish, with photo and star rating support.
These tools help address local ecommerce needs such as COD verification, localization, and mobile-first experiences.
Regional Shipping and Payment Solutions for Peru’s Ecommerce Businesses
Shipping Strategy:
- Use Olva Courier or Shalom Express for fast and secure local deliveries.
- Offer Serpost for cost-effective shipping to remote provinces.
- For international customers, integrate DHL Express with Shopify for seamless order fulfillment.
Payment Strategy:
- Offer Culqi and Niubiz for online card payments with local bank support.
- Include PagoEfectivo to serve unbanked customers and enable cash payment convenience.
- Add Mercado Pago or PayPal for regional and global buyers.
Trust and Compliance:
- Include secure checkout badges, transparent return policies, and translated product descriptions in Spanish.
- Ensure VAT and digital sales regulations are reflected correctly in invoices and shipping documentation.
Conclusion
Peru presents a fast-growing ecommerce opportunity for Shopify merchants. With rising smartphone usage, improved logistics, and strong demand for localized services, brands that invest in mobile optimization, regional payment solutions, and reliable fulfillment can gain a competitive edge. Shopify’s flexibility, combined with apps like Easy Bundles, Checkout Wiz, and local payment integrations, allows merchants to build customer trust and scale efficiently in the Peruvian market.