Chile's National Economic Prosecutor's Office (FNE) has released its preliminary report on the e-commerce market. The study warns of potentially abusive unilateral practices by platforms against sellers and recommends minimum transparency standards. Online sales reached nearly US$10 billion in 2025, or 2.9% of nominal GDP.
The FNE found that e-commerce has grown substantially, with sales nearing US$10 billion in 2025, accounting for 2.9% of Chile's nominal GDP. The market shows a concentrated structure with few key players, yet retains competitive rivalry, particularly among price-sensitive consumers.
The report highlighted prospective risks, such as sellers' dependence on platforms controlling demand access and visibility. "The terms and conditions governing the contractual relationship of some major e-commerce platforms with their sellers have features that favor potentially abusive unilateral practices," the FNE stated.
Influences on pricing through Key Account Managers, algorithms, and Buy Box have not largely materialized yet. On price parity, evidence suggests mechanisms inducing de facto alignment, though alternative explanations exist.
The FNE urged platforms exceeding UF 100 thousand in annual sales (about US$4.5 million), including Falabella.com, Hites.cl, Mercado Libre, Mundo Líder, Paris.cl, and Ripley.com, to adopt clear, predictable terms. These should specify suspension reasons, 15-day notices for changes, and product ranking parameters, per National Economic Prosecutor Jorge Grunberg.
