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Tech Roundup: Jul. 3, 2020 | Covid-19 impacts on Brazilian logistics

Tech Roundup: a digest of the most important news on technology and innovation in Brazil

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You’re reading The Brazilian Report’s weekly tech roundup, a digest of the most important news on technology and innovation in Brazil. This week’s topics: how logistics companies are yet to follow e-commerce’s digital transformation and the impacts of the Fake News bill on marketing agencies. 

Covid-19 sparks digital transformation in Brazilian logistics 

Social isolation helped to boost e-commerce in Brazil at the speed of light. However, the same transformation is yet to be seen in logistics. This segment is lagging in technological terms but will have to reinvent itself, according to one sector executive heard by The Brazilian Report.  

Evolution. The country’s largest retailers have adopted express deliveries in the past few years, which means consumers can receive their goods on the same day as ordering. Five years ago, the national average waiting time for deliveries was 13 days. However, late deliveries are still frequent.  

Customer experience. For Carlos Mira, CEO and founder of platform TruckPad, Brazilian companies that work with last-mile delivery will have to invest in technology to meet consumers’ expectations. “Last-mile (operators) must adapt. Consumers are demanding more predictability. If you call an Uber, you know exactly how long the ride will take.  Why can’t we have the same quality level for deliveries? Because the sector is lagging in tech,” he told The Brazilian Report. “Currently, startups provide the best customer experience, so more traditional companies will have to keep up or risk being replaced.”  

New habits. Judging by TruckPad’s performance, companies are making up for the lost time in technology adoption. The platform, which connects independent truck drivers and transport companies, saw demand grow by 66 percent per month during the pandemic, and demand for truck drivers rose by 40 percent each month. According to Mr. Mira, that happened because hires often happened at truck stops or companies’ headquarters, which is no longer possible due to the pandemic. 

What to expect? According to a study by logistic consultancy ILOS, freight hiring apps were seen by 56 percent of company executives as a main trend for urban deliveries in the...

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