An online purchase may begin with a click, but behind that action lies an entire ecosystem that impacts far beyond the transaction itself and transcends the socioeconomic sphere. This is one of the changes revealed by the so-called “MELI Effect ,” a study presented by Mercado Libre during the sixth edition of Mercado Libre Experience .
According to the analysis, Mercado Libre operated with 138 logistics centers in 2025, with a direct presence in 67 localities or municipalities in 31 federal entities, and more than 8,360 delivery and pickup agencies distributed in the 32 states of the country.
“Reducing logistics costs and times is what enables the growth of e-commerce, and it benefits small, peripheral, and low-ticket sellers the most,” the company said in a statement.
The study highlighted that the direct and indirect impact of the Mercado Libre ecosystem on the Mexican economy was more than 106.4 billion pesos (mdp) , equivalent to approximately 0.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In addition, more than 220,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) sold their products through the platform last year. For 68% of them, this was their first online sales experience, while for 51% it is their primary sales channel.
In Mexico, a growing portion of online sales comes from SMEs and entrepreneurs.
The study revealed that two out of three SMEs reached cities they previously did not have commercial access to , while 47% used artificial intelligence for the first time through Mercado Libre’s tools.
“If there’s one thing that’s become clear to us in 27 years of operating in the country, it’s that Mexico has enormous transformative potential. Our job is to put technology, scale, and capabilities behind that momentum to democratize digital commerce and finance,” highlighted David Geisen, CEO of Mercado Libre Mexico and SVP of Commerce for Hispanics.
A market that continues to grow
This result comes in a Mexican market where e-commerce maintains double-digit growth rates. According to the Mexican Online Sales Association (AMVO) , e -commerce reached a value of 941 billion pesos in 2025 , a 19.2% increase compared to 2024. Retail represented 17.7% of the total market in the country.
For Mercado Libre, the impact extends beyond commerce. In 2025, more than 950,000 businesses and entrepreneurs used Mercado Pago to process payments . According to the study, 85% identified the platform as their primary payment method, and for more than half, it was their only one. Furthermore, over 40% of users in Mexico accessed a personal loan for the first time through Mercado Pago .
“These numbers reaffirm that Mercado Pago is part of the daily lives of millions of users and, without a doubt, the digital account of choice for Mexican SMEs. What we achieve with digital finance is breaking down barriers and providing solutions that support the needs of Mexicans and their businesses in multiple aspects of their financial lives,” highlighted Pedro Rivas, Vice President and General Manager of Mercado Pago Mexico.
On the demand side, 82% of surveyed consumers identified Mercado Libre as their first choice for searching for products , while 65% valued the possibility of accessing goods that are not available in their city.
The “MELI Effect” study was prepared using the company’s own information, an input-output model to estimate direct and indirect effects on GDP and employment using the methodology of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) .
This impact is also reflected in job creation. In 2025, the company directly employed more than 34,300 people in the country ; for every direct job, three more indirect jobs were generated throughout the rest of the economy, sustained by the economic impact of the ecosystem. In total, last year more than 136,800 jobs were linked to the company’s ecosystem.
“The multiplier effect of the Mercado Libre ecosystem translates into opportunities for growth and economic development for businesses and individuals, as well as an important contribution to the national economy to continue delivering the best of Mexico,” said David Geisen.
According to its second quarter 2026 results report, Mercado Libre obtained revenues of $10.2 billion, which meant a year-on-year growth of 50%.
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