AI Drives Mexico E-Commerce; FEMSA Posts Healthy Gains

This week in retail news, artificial intelligence takes center stage as Mexican consumers rapidly adopt AI assistants, even as most Latin American e-commerce platforms struggle to keep pace technologically. Corporate investment and earnings signals remain mixed, with FEMSA posting solid quarterly gains amid multibillion-dollar commitments tied to upcoming global events, while remittances show an unexpected contraction at the start of the year.

More news below:

AI Drives 42% of Shopper Decisions in Mexico

Artificial intelligence has transitioned from a specialized tool to a primary driver of the Mexican retail sector, with 42% of consumers now utilizing AI assistants in their purchasing process. According to the Adyen Retail Report 2026, this figure represents a sharp increase from the 15% adoption rate recorded in the previous year, signaling a rapid transformation in how the domestic market evaluates and executes transactions.

Most Latin American E-Commerce Platforms Lag in AI Adoption

Eighty percent of major e-commerce platforms in Latin America demonstrate critical deficiencies in technical performance and AI adoption, according to Google Cloud and the innovation agency R/GA in the Retail Garage 2026 study. The integration of advanced technologies has become a requirement for sector competitiveness, say the companies. The report emphasizes that AI is fundamental to making the experience more intuitive and efficient, so that brands stand out and create more connections with their customers.

Mexican Remittances Record First January Decline Since 2015

Mexican remittance inflows began 2026 with a contraction, totaling US$4.594 billion (MX$81 billion) in January, a 1.4% annual decline, according to data released by Mexico’s Central Bank (Banxico). This marks the first negative year-over-year variation for the month of January since 2015, signaling a shift in a sector that has faced mounting structural and macroeconomic headwinds over the past year.

FEMSA Posts 4Q25 Gains Amid US$6 Billion Investment

FEMSA reported a 5.7% increase in consolidated revenues and an 8.5% rise in operating income for 4Q25 compared to the same period a year earlier. The results come as The Coca-Cola Company announced a US$6 billion investment commitment in Mexico, aimed at supporting growth ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite a significant increase in federal excise taxes.

Retail 2026: Predictive Intelligence and the Battle for Margin

After a reactive 2025, retailers in 2026 must shift from improvisation to anticipation, using data not just to explain past performance but to prevent future declines. Francisco Álvarez, CCO & Co-Founder, Getin, writes that protecting margins through predictive analysis, regionalized strategies, and operational precision will be more critical than simply driving sales growth. Ultimately, success will depend less on new technology and more on cultivating a culture of disciplined, data-driven decision-making that identifies risks before they impact results.