As the prospects for the Brazilian steel industry remain bearish, steelmakers are looking for alternative ways to increase sales.
In an effort to reach the smaller consumers of steel in Brazil, ArcelorMittal has launched an e-commerce portal, selling flat and long steel products, including rebar, plates and profiles.
According to ArcelorMittal, about 200 products are being offered at the www.lojaarcelormittal.com.br website. As a matter of comparison, ArcelorMittal is selling its CA-50, 10mm thickness rebar at BRL 36.73 per 7.4 kg.
Minor steel consumers can pay for their products through installment payments via a credit card and boletos. The boleto is an official payment method regulated by the Brazilian Central Bank. Customers are provided with a pre-filled boleto bank slip, which consumers can print and pay with cash at any bank branch or at any authorized processors such as drugstores, supermarkets or post offices.
In a press-release, ArcelorMittal said the website attends clients in the greater Sao Paulo area and will soon expand to all over the country.