Retail & E-Commerce Sector

WHY URUGUAY for retail?

• A long track record of political, social, and macroeconomic stability, as well as a host of advantages in different business platforms, all make Uruguay an ideal regional hub for the Americas. This concept encompasses platforms for support services and commercial activities, as well as for more sophisticated and innovative operations.

• Its strategic location as a gateway to the region, and its time zone and cultural affinity make it easy for Uruguay to do business with large global markets. The country offers first-class logistics infrastructure and state-of-the-art telecommunications technology; it is a regional leader in technological infrastructure, both in terms of connectivity and Internet access, and in terms of the ICT development index.

• Easy access to decision makers. The country offers a coordinated and accessible technological and entrepreneurial ecosystem, with investment opportunities not only for existing companies (mergers and acquisitions), but also for the development of new ventures.

• Favorable regulatory framework. Investments in Uruguay are declared of national interest, regardless of whether their origin is domestic or foreign. The country guarantees equal treatment to local and foreign investors, while a wide range of incentives are available to suit different types of activities. For the global export services sector, there are significant tax exemptions and the possibility of operating in a free trade zone regime that is geared towards exports.

• Talent. Uruguay provides universal and free access to all levels of education. This has made it possible to train generations of highly qualified and multilingual talent. Companies exporting services from Uruguay have received support for the implementation of tailor-made training programs for current staff as well as for new hires.

• Quality of life. Uruguay is a safe country, which offers excellent living conditions for executives and their families, with access to first class health and education services. Montevideo is the city with the best quality of life in Latin America according to the Mercer index. More and more foreigners are choosing Uruguay as their country of residence. Employed people can reside and work legally in the country and are assisted in processing their visa and residency applications in an expedited manner. A residency permit for digital nomads was recently approved in Uruguay, seeking to encourage the arrival of more overseas talent to live and work in the country.

• Dynamism in consumption. Uruguay is an attractive market for retail due to its dynamic consumption, propelled by a strong adoption of e-commerce and a high demand of quality products, of both national and international origin. This dynamism allows brands to quickly adapt to consumers' changing preferences, creating a favorable environment for the growth and expansion of the sector.