Non-Store Retailing in Dominican Republic

TRENDS

Non-store retailing performed very well again in 2016, posting a strong value growth rate of 11% and bringing sales to DOP28.4 billion. Widespread use of and increased access to technology throughout Dominican society has fuelled much of this growth. Perhaps the most notable aspect is the growth in internet retailing and online purchases, including those made via mobile devices. Currently, consumers are able to purchase online and their transactions are not subject to the taxes applied to physical purchases at brick-and-mortar outlets. 2015 saw a great deal of uncertainty concerning this channel because the government came very close to approving a framework for applying these taxes to online purchases. The attempt ultimately failed, however, and consumers continue to save large amounts of money by making online purchases. While the majority of these transactions are done from abroad, some locally based firms are also engaging in online purchasing services (eg, IKEA Santo Domingo).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

As non-store retailing is comprised of several different channels, it remains a highly fragmented category in the Dominican Republic. Within the direct selling channel, Productos Avon SA led once again in 2016 with a 21% share of retail value sales, followed by Grupo Transbel CA with 18%.

PROSPECTS

Throughout the forecast period, internet retailing is expected to be the main driver of growth in value sales of non-store retailing. While the channel as a whole is beginning to mature, scope for additional growth remains as mobile retailing and new payments systems emerge. In addition, international players continue to dominate the landscape, but local companies are expected to enter the fray more actively in the years to come. In fact, it would not be surprising to see local firms pair up with international companies to offer a broader range of services and product offerings to their customers in the Dominican market.

Files are delivered directly into your account within a few minutes of purchase.