Chile's food retail embraces omnichannel logistics

In August 2026 Chilean consumers shifted toward instant, multi‑channel purchasing, prompting food retailers to upgrade logistics. Supermarket sales reached US$18.582 billion in 2025, with online channels accounting for 8.7% of total sales. The online food‑and‑beverage segment generated US$1.760 billion that year.

Emergent Cold LatAm responded with a specialized logistics model for perishable goods. Its Chilean general manager, Lucas Ballivián, said the sector must guarantee product availability, quality, and traceability across every purchase channel. He highlighted the need for advanced infrastructure and technology to keep perishable items fresh from source to consumer, noting that stockouts hurt sales while excess inventory raises costs due to limited shelf life.