Beyond Amazon: MercadoLibre and Shopify’s Rise in E-Commerce

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2025/9/12：Amazon’s journey from online bookstore to global tech powerhouse is legendary. For investors and entrepreneurs, the search for “the next Amazon” remains enticing — and two names often come up: MercadoLibre and Shopify.

MercadoLibre: Latin America’s Giant

Over the past decade, MercadoLibre (NASDAQ: MELI) has surged more than 2,000%, driven by e-commerce growth and its fintech platform Mercado Pago.

  • Revenue grew from $557 million in 2014 to $20.8 billion in 2024 (44% CAGR).

  • Over 100 million active buyers and 60 million fintech users by 2024.

  • A market cap of $123 billion, still far below Amazon’s $2.48 trillion.

Analysts expect revenue and EPS growth of 28% and 34% annually through 2027. With Latin America’s e-commerce projected to grow 16%+ annually, MercadoLibre remains a strong candidate for long-term growth.

Shopify: The Hidden Champion

Unlike marketplaces, Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) provides merchants with the tools to build their own online stores and own customer data.

  • Over 5 million stores worldwide.

  • Q2 2024 GMV: $87.8 billion, up 31%.

  • Revenue: $2.7 billion, also up 31%.

Shopify empowers brands to connect directly with consumers, offering flexibility and authenticity — traits increasingly valued by Gen Z shoppers. Despite a high valuation, Shopify is well positioned to benefit from global e-commerce growth of 15% annually through 2034.

MercadoLibre and Shopify illustrate how e-commerce is evolving beyond Amazon’s model. Whether through regional dominance or merchant empowerment, both are shaping the future of online retail.

For cross-border sellers, these stories highlight one truth: growth requires strong logistics.

At B&J Global, we provide customs clearance, warehousing, trucking, and last-mile delivery solutions to keep your business moving in a fast-changing market.