Olist

Brazilian e-commerce unicorn Olist conducted a second round of mass layoffs on January 30, 2023, citing a need to prepare for a difficult economic year and ensure long-term financial health. While the company, which employs over 1,000 people, did not disclose the exact number or percentage affected, the cuts impacted all areas, including strategic departments like post-sales and technology. The layoffs reflect a broader trend of cost-cutting in the tech startup industry, which is facing pressure from high interest rates and inflation, forcing companies to prioritize efficiency and profitability. Despite the layoffs, Olist's leadership reported strong revenue growth and stated the company has sufficient cash reserves without needing new investor funding this year.

Brazilian e-commerce unicorn Olist conducted layoffs on May 23, 2022, affecting all areas including technology, business, and product. While rumors suggested around 150 employees were impacted, the company's founder denied this figure, stating the number was significantly lower and that Olist still had open positions. The exact number of layoffs was not disclosed. As of December 2021, Olist had 1,400 employees and had planned to hire 300 more in 2022. The founder attributed the adjustments to the new macroeconomic scenario and the need to correct inefficiencies that arise as a company scales, emphasizing that Olist's revenue grew 3.5 times in 2021 and that no projects would be discontinued. This move occurred amid a wave of layoffs at other Brazilian unicorns like QuintoAndar and Loft. Olist, which reached a $1.5 billion valuation in late 2021, specializes in helping physical stores sell on major marketplaces.