Retailing In Americas Had Both Good And Bad In 2015, Euromonitor International Says

In 2015, retailers in the Americas opened 24,300 new stores, adding 8.5 million square meters to total retail space in the region, according to Euromonitor International. Data from the market research firm revealed the market generated $4.2 trillion in sales during the year; however, 2015 had good and bad developments, with most countries in Latin America recording moderate to healthy growth in their local currencies. Also, non-store retailing has been growing across the region, with online sales in North America accounting for 70 percent of non-store sales and 42 percent in Latin America. North American consumers spent $12 out of every $100 shopping on purchases made through non-store channels, while their Latin American counterparts spent $6 out of $100. Online sales’ lower share of non-store retail in Latin America was due to the popularity of direct selling and low access to the internet and low penetration of credit cards in some countries in the region.