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Chile Emerges as a Logistics Hub for E-commerce in South America, Driven by Asian Giants
With 77% of consumers shopping online and Asian platforms dominating 55% of international transactions, the country is establishing itself as a pillar of delivery efficiency, raising the standards for the entire region.
The habit of shopping online is already well-established, but the new frontier of competition is delivery speed. Platforms like AliExpress are redefining consumer expectations with promises of shipping in just five days to anywhere in the world. This transformation is pressuring the entire global logistics chain to innovate, demanding faster, more efficient, and reliable solutions.
In Chile, this scenario is particularly evident. Digital sales are growing at an accelerated pace, and according to the consulting firm Mordor Intelligence, the market is expected to surpass the $24 billion mark by 2030.
The Accelerated Growth of Online Commerce in Chile
Chilean consumer behavior reflects a strong adoption of e-commerce. A recent study by Kantar revealed that 77% of the population has purchased products online in recent months. This trend extends to international shopping, where Chinese platforms hold a commanding lead. Data from the Santiago Chamber of Commerce (CCS) shows that these marketplaces account for 55% of international transactions made by Chileans, with Alibaba Group’s AliExpress being the main foreign supplier, holding 27% of consumer preference as of April 2025.
AliExpress: Setting the Pace for Global Logistics
Handling over 300 million packages daily on a global scale, AliExpress is not just a retail giant but also a catalyst for change in logistics. Its model of ultra-fast shipping is transforming consumption habits and forcing logistics operators worldwide to improve their performance to stay competitive. The platform’s success in Chile is a testament to its efficiency and appeal to the end consumer.
Starken and the Recognition That Positions Chile
In this highly competitive context, Chile has managed to stand out, positioning itself as a world-class player. The local logistics company Starken received the “Best Quality Partner 2025” award from AliExpress, securing first place among all operators in South America. The award, presented during the 6.18 global campaign—China’s second-largest shopping event—recognizes excellence in indicators such as quality, commitment, and efficiency.
“The recognition from AliExpress as Best Quality Partner 2025 reaffirms our strength in global e-commerce and positions Chile as a logistics benchmark in South America,” said Rodrigo Albarrán, General Manager of Starken. The partnership, signed in 2024, was crucial for the company, leading its cross-border business to now represent 35% of its domestic packages and 99% of its international operations.
The Future of E-commerce: Challenges and Opportunities
The growth of e-commerce in Chile shows no signs of slowing down. With increasingly demanding consumers, the demand for efficiency, traceability, and competitive prices will continue to pressure both international marketplaces and local logistics operators. Innovation will be the key to overcoming new challenges in a world increasingly governed by immediacy.
Resumo em Português: Este artigo aborda a ascensão do Chile como um centro logístico para o e-commerce na América do Sul. Com mais de 77% da população comprando online, o mercado é dominado por plataformas asiáticas como o AliExpress, que concentra 55% das transações internacionais. O destaque fica para a empresa chilena Starken, premiada pelo AliExpress como “Best Quality Partner 2025”, um reconhecimento que solidifica a posição do país como uma referência de eficiência e qualidade na cadeia de suprimentos global.
Resumen en Español: Este artículo analiza el ascenso de Chile como un centro logístico para el e-commerce en Sudamérica. Con más del 77% de la población comprando en línea, el mercado está dominado por plataformas asiáticas como AliExpress, que concentra el 55% de las transacciones internacionales. Se destaca el rol de la empresa chilena Starken, galardonada por AliExpress como “Best Quality Partner 2025”, un reconocimiento que consolida la posición del país como un referente de eficiencia y calidad en la cadena de suministro global.
