Mexicans Favor Physical Stores Over Online Shopping

While e-commerce is rapidly expanding in Mexico due to the convenience of payment and delivery options, a significant majority of consumers still prefer traditional shopping methods. According to Zebra Technologies' new study, “Connecting with the Modern Latin American Consumer,” 86% of Mexican consumers continue to visit physical stores for their purchases, compared to 55% who shop online.

“Mexico leads Latin America in adopting technological innovations, possibly due to its proximity to the United States and the market's maturity. Retailers must provide technology to both shoppers and employees to enhance loyalty and competitiveness,” said Alfonso Caraveo, Director of Engineering and Solutions for Latin America, Zebra Technologies.

The preference for physical shopping in Mexico is primarily driven by product availability, cited by 17% of respondents, discounts and promotions (12%), and the ability to interact with the product (12%).

Despite the preference for physical shopping, digital tools play a significant role in the shopping experience. The study reports that 57% of consumers use smartphones to find store hours and locations, 53% look for discounts, offers, or coupons via their phones, and 41% compare prices and promotions using their smartphones.

The study highlights the most visited online shopping categories in Mexico, with food and grocery stores leading at 55%, followed by clothing and footwear at 48%, and fast food restaurants at 41%. When it comes to online shopping, Mexican consumers prioritize free shipping (15%), product availability (12%), and competitive pricing (13%).

Payment ease is crucial in the shopping experience, with 72% of consumers preferring to pay at traditional cash registers. However, there is a strong demand for more advanced shopping and payment technologies. Notably, 82% of consumers value seeing, touching, or trying products, which provides immediate gratification.