Assaí () entered into a partnership with Mercado Livre (BDR: ) to debut in the marketplace using the fulfillment model, expanding its operations in digital channels. Consumer sales are scheduled to begin in the second quarter in the Southeast region, with expansion throughout Brazil by the end of 2026.
The partnership marks Assaí’s first entry into the marketplace, after years of caution with food e-commerce. The president of Assaí, Belmiro Gomes, stated that the main obstacle has always been operational. “E-commerce for us has always been more complex because of logistics. And, let’s be honest, Mercado Livre has the best logistics in Brazil today”, he said.
Assaí will be responsible for supplying Mercado Livre’s distribution centers, while the partner takes over the storage, separation, order preparation and delivery steps to the end customer.
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In the first stage, the operation must start with an assortment of around 400 items (SKUs), concentrated in non-perishable categories, such as hygiene and cleaning. Belmiro highlighted the difficulties of transportation and profitability involving fresh food. “It’s much easier to deliver an iPhone than a head of lettuce,” he said
Mercado Livre’s senior vice president and head of commerce in Latin America, Fernando Yunes, highlighted that Assaí now has access to a logistics structure that currently delivers 52% of purchases on the same day or the next day and 80% within two days, with the support of a network of 29 fulfillment distribution centers.
Yunes said that supermarkets are currently the most dynamic vertical on the platform. “It is the fastest growing segment in Mercado Livre. In the third quarter of 2025, it grew 44% compared to the previous year”, he stated.
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Assaí’s 312 stores will be able to use Mercado Livre Negócios to purchase operational inputs, while customers of the Meli+ program will have cashback on Mercado Pago when making purchases on the network.
According to Belmiro, the operation should expand Assaí’s reach in non-perishable categories, with room to gradually evolve. “The two companies, due to their size and reach, are extremely complementary”, he stated.
