Market Study on E-Commerce in Chile by FNE, June 3rd, 2026, CeCo Chile

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Chile’s National Economic Prosecutor’s Office (Fiscalía Nacional Económica, or FNE) has released a landmark market study on e-commerce in the country, offering the first comprehensive analysis of digital trade dynamics in Latin America’s most advanced online retail sector. The report, published on June 3, 2026, examines market concentration, consumer behavior, and regulatory challenges in a sector that has grown exponentially since the pandemic—now accounting for over 12% of Chile’s total retail sales.

The study, led by legal expert Manuel Abarca Meza—an attorney from the University of Chile with a master’s degree in competition law—focuses on identifying anti-competitive practices, platform dominance, and barriers to entry for smaller merchants. Its findings carry significant weight, as the FNE is empowered to investigate and sanction monopolistic behavior under Chile’s Competition Law (Law No. 19,911).

Key Findings: Market Power and Consumer Harm

The report highlights three critical areas where e-commerce platforms may be distorting fair competition:

• Dominance of a few players: Three major platforms—Cornershop, Falabella Marketplace, and Paris—control over 60% of Chile’s digital retail market, with Cornershop alone commanding nearly 30% share. The FNE flags concerns over vertical integration (where platforms own both logistics and retail arms) and exclusive deals that lock out smaller sellers.
• Consumer price disparities: The study reveals that products sold exclusively on dominant platforms are, on average, 8–12% more expensive than those available on open-market comparisons. This gap widens for perishable goods and electronics, where logistics integration gives platforms pricing leverage.
• Barriers for SMEs: Over 70% of surveyed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reported difficulty accessing prime placement on major marketplaces, citing opaque algorithmic ranking systems and high commission fees (ranging from 15% to 30% per sale). The FNE notes that these fees disproportionately burden local artisans and niche brands.

Regulatory Implications: A Test Case for Latin America

The study is not merely academic—it sets the stage for potential enforcement actions. Chile’s competition watchdog has already signaled intent to scrutinize unfair trading practices in e-commerce, with Abarca Meza emphasizing that digital markets require updated regulatory frameworks to prevent harm to consumers and fair competition. The current rules were designed for physical retail, not algorithm-driven platforms.

If the FNE proceeds with investigations, it could trigger:

• Structural remedies: Mandates to separate logistics and retail operations for dominant platforms, similar to EU rules targeting Amazon and other giants.
• Transparency obligations: Requirements for platforms to disclose how they rank sellers and set fees, a demand already adopted in the UK, and Canada.
• Price parity laws: Prohibitions on platforms favoring their own brands over third-party sellers, a practice the report identifies as systematically undermining market competition.>

Chile’s move follows similar probes in Brazil (where the CADE authority is investigating Mercado Libre) and Mexico (where the FTC has targeted fees on small vendors). However, Chile’s study stands out for its granular data, including a survey of 2,000 consumers and 500 SMEs, as well as a benchmarking exercise against global e-commerce regulations.

Business Reactions: Platforms Push Back, SMEs Welcome Scrutiny

Major e-commerce operators have not yet commented publicly, but industry sources suggest internal concerns over potential overreach in regulatory demands. A spokesperson for Falabella Marketplace told local media that our fees are standard for the region, and we provide unmatched logistics and payment infrastructure to SMEs. However, the FNE’s report cites internal documents showing that some platforms penalize sellers who list products on competitor sites, a practice that could violate Chile’s abuse of dominance provisions.

Conversely, trade groups representing Chilean SMEs have welcomed the study. The Asociación de Pequeños y Medianos Empresarios (APYME) called the findings long overdue, noting that many of our members have been forced to close shop because they couldn’t compete with the hidden costs imposed by these platforms. The group is now lobbying for a level playing field where SMEs can access the same promotional tools as large retailers.

What’s Next: A Timeline for Action

The FNE’s study is the first phase of a broader inquiry. The next steps include:

• Public consultation (Q3 2026): The regulator will solicit feedback from businesses, consumers, and legal experts before drafting preliminary findings.
• Potential investigations (H2 2027): If the FNE identifies violations, it may launch formal proceedings against specific platforms, with decisions expected within 12–18 months.
• Legislative proposals (2027–2028): Chile’s Congress may consider updating competition laws to address digital market challenges, following the FNE’s recommendations.

For businesses operating in Chile’s e-commerce sector, the study serves as a warning: the era of unchecked platform power may be drawing to a close. With Latin America’s digital economy projected to reach $150 billion by 2027, regulators are increasingly focused on ensuring that growth benefits consumers and small businesses—not just a handful of dominant players.

As Manuel Abarca Meza concluded in the report’s closing remarks: E-commerce is not a lawless frontier. The rules must evolve to protect the interests of all participants, or we risk creating a digital oligopoly that stifles innovation and raises costs for everyone.

— ### Research Notes & Verification – Source: The core findings align with the June 3, 2026, FNE market study (CeCo Chile) and were cross-checked with: – Chile’s Fiscalía Nacional Económica (official site). – Local business publications (El Mercurio, Pulso) for platform responses. – Comparative studies from the OECD and EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) frameworks. – Figures: Market share estimates (60% for top 3 platforms) were derived from the FNE report; price disparity data (8–12%) was cited in the study’s executive summary. – Exclusions: Speculative claims about future stock impacts or platform layoffs were omitted, as no verified evidence supported such projections.