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European eCommerce Market 2024

European e-commerce market 2024: key insights

  • Pandemic Growth: The pandemic has given a significant boost to eCommerce in Europe, with sales increasing 66% from 2019 to 2021. Despite a temporary decline, the market is expected to continue growing, potentially reaching $955 billion by 2028.
  • Market leader: Fashion and electronics are the leading sectors in European online shopping. Subcategories such as Apparel and Consumer Electronics are particularly important, demonstrating both diversity and attention to consumer interests.
  • Preferred Payments: Digital wallets are the preferred payment method for online purchases across Europe, but direct account-to-account transfers are also becoming popular, especially in Poland, the Netherlands and Sweden. In Türkiye, however, credit cards are the most used payment instrument.
  • Revenue distribution: eCommerce revenue distribution varies significantly across Europe. Ireland, the Czech Republic and Belgium have the highest revenue shares, while the UK leads in e-commerce market size as a percentage of GDP, demonstrating widespread adoption of online shopping.

Europe, although geographically small, is one of the most important economic centers in the world. While major economies on the continent such as the UK, Germany or the Netherlands already have e-commerce penetration rates of around 80% and above, there is still a lot of potential to be exploited in the smaller economies of the South and North ‘east like Greece , Portugal or Poland .

Italy

Italy , the fifth largest e-commerce market in Europe, ranks 13th globally. Online retail represents 12% of the Italian retail market, with a forecast to increase to 17% by 2028. As in most major e-commerce markets in Europe, the Italian Amazon domain Amazon.it is leads with $5.6 billion in revenue in 2023.

The Italian market is expected to grow by 10% in 2024, reaching $41.5 billion by the end of the year. From 2024 to 2028, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% is expected, with a market volume of $56.5 billion.

Hobby & Leisure leads the Italian eCommerce market, contributing 26% of revenues in 2023. Followed by electronics (21%), fashion (18%), furniture and household items (12%), care products ( 9%), DIY (9%) and groceries (6%).

In Italy, VISA and Mastercard are each accepted by 95% of online stores, with PayPal at 91% and bank transfers at 65%. Cash on delivery is used by 52% of retailers. Bartolini (BRT) dominates the shipping industry, handling 46% of deliveries, while GLS, DHL, UPS and SDA (Poste Italiane ) also play an important role in the competitive market.

The European e-commerce market is approaching $1 trillion

It’s no secret at this point that the pandemic has given a huge boost to e-commerce in many regions of the world. Europe was no exception, with market sales of $423 billion in 2019, rising to $589 the following year, before reaching an even more impressive figure of $702 billion in 2021. This is a 66% increase between 2019 and 2021.

Due to factors such as market saturation and inflation, the following year was not as impressive. With a decline of 7%, the market fell to $655 billion in revenue, still above pre-pandemic levels. Since last year, however, the market has picked up speed and a new decline is not expected.

Our forecasts show that the European eCommerce market will reach $745 billion in sales by the end of the year. This figure is expected to steadily increase to $955 billion by 2028.

But where does all this money go? In other words, what products do Europeans buy online ?

What do Europeans buy online?

Our revenue breakdown data shows what online shoppers in Europe buy most.

  • Fashion is in the lead with 21.6% of market turnover. This is not surprising, given that fashion is also the largest category globally (27.5%).
  • The main category is followed closely by Electronics and Hobbies & Leisure , each with approximately 20% of the market.
  • While Furniture and household items, Food and Personal care have similar market shares ranging from 9.8% to 9.6%,
  • The DIY category represents a smaller share of the market at 8.2%.

The major product categories, however, only tell part of the story.

Consumer electronics and clothing with the largest market shares

To go into more detail, we need to take the subcategories into consideration. Sorting these subcategories by market share, we see consumer electronics and apparel at the top.

While consumer electronics accounts for 14% of the European e-commerce market, home appliances (the other subcategory of electronics) are not far behind, standing at 6.6%. With 12.7%, clothing is the product category with the second largest market share in Europe. Sister subcategories Footwear and Bags & Accessories are at 5% and 4% respectively.

Other top subcategories for online shopping in Europe include Media , Furniture , Grocery , Personal Care , and Construction Tools & Supplies , with market shares ranging from 4.5% to 6.3%.

Digital wallets are the primary payment method for most Europeans

In addition to what Europeans buy online, it is equally important to know what they pay for.

A report from WorldPay paints a clear picture. As shown in the chart below, digital wallets are the most popular payment method for online purchases in the majority of European countries included in the study, with the UK having the largest share (38%) of shoppers using this method of payment. payment.

In addition to digital wallets, account-to-account (A2A) payments, which is the simple transfer of money directly from one bank account to another without using a debit or credit card, are also becoming increasingly popular. In fact, A2A is the most popular eCommerce payment method in Poland, the Netherlands and Sweden, with 68%, 64% and 30% of shoppers preferring this method respectively.

Looking at the other payment methods used in European eCommerce, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) stands out. With 21% in both Germany and Sweden, BNPL is also popular in Denmark (12%) and the Netherlands (11%).

Turkey is also an interesting case: it is by far the leading country in Europe for the use of credit cards for online purchases, with almost half (48%) of shoppers using this payment method. Cash on delivery is also very popular, with 5% of Turkish shoppers paying cash on delivery, the highest rate in the region.

But what about the financial aspects of e-commerce on the continent: how important is the role of e-commerce in the economies of European countries?

Fulfillment in Italy: The Eshoplogistic Revolution

Introduction

Eshoplogistic is making waves in Italy’s e-commerce landscape with its innovative fulfillment solutions. As online shopping continues to soar, efficient and reliable fulfillment services have become crucial for businesses to stay competitive and meet growing customer demands.

What is Fulfillment?

Fulfillment involves the entire process from receiving an order to delivering it to the customer’s doorstep. It includes inventory management, order processing, picking and packing, shipping, and handling returns. A seamless fulfillment process ensures customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

The Eshoplogistic Approach

Eshoplogistic is redefining fulfillment in Italy through its state-of-the-art facilities and technology-driven solutions. Here’s how Eshoplogistic stands out:

Advanced Technology

Eshoplogistic leverages cutting-edge technology such as automation, robotics, and AI to streamline operations. These technologies enable precise inventory management, rapid order processing, and efficient picking and packing.

Strategic Locations

Eshoplogistic has strategically positioned its fulfillment centers across Italy to minimize delivery times and costs. This network ensures that products reach customers quickly, no matter where they are located in the country.

Comprehensive Services

Eshoplogistic offers a full suite of services, including:

  • Inventory Management: Real-time tracking and optimization of stock levels.
  • Order Processing: Efficient handling of orders to ensure accuracy and speed.
  • Picking and Packing: Secure and timely preparation of orders for shipment.
  • Shipping: Reliable partnerships with major carriers for fast and safe deliveries.
  • Returns Management: Streamlined process for handling returns and exchanges.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

  1. Infrastructure: Italy’s varied geography requires robust logistics solutions to ensure timely deliveries.
  2. Regulatory Compliance: Navigating Italy’s regulatory framework, including labor and customs regulations, can be complex.
  3. Sustainability: Meeting environmental sustainability goals is increasingly important, requiring green practices in fulfillment operations.

Opportunities

  1. Technological Integration: The use of advanced technologies such as IoT and blockchain can enhance transparency and efficiency.
  2. E-commerce Growth: The increasing popularity of online shopping in Italy presents significant opportunities for fulfillment providers.
  3. Customer Experience: Superior fulfillment services can greatly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Eshoplogistic: Leading the Way

Eshoplogistic is at the forefront of transforming fulfillment in Italy. By addressing logistical challenges and leveraging technological advancements, Eshoplogistic provides exceptional services that meet and exceed customer expectations. Their commitment to efficiency, reliability, and customer satisfaction positions them as a leader in the industry.

Conclusion

Eshoplogistic is revolutionizing fulfillment in Italy, ensuring that businesses can meet the demands of today’s e-commerce landscape. With their advanced technology, strategic locations, and comprehensive services, Eshoplogistic is setting new standards for efficiency and customer satisfaction in the fulfillment sector.

What is Fulfillment?

Fulfillment, in the context of e-commerce, is the process that includes all the operations necessary to manage and complete an order placed online. This includes receiving and managing inventory, selecting products, packing, shipping and delivering to the end customer. In practice, fulfillment is what allows an e-commerce company to keep the promises made to its customers, ensuring that the ordered products arrive on time and in perfect condition.

The processes that make up fulfillment

Fulfillment consists of several phases, each of which is crucial to ensuring an efficient and high-quality service. Here are the main processes that constitute it:

  • Receiving inventory: When products arrive at the fulfillment service provider’s warehouse, they must be unloaded, inspected and recorded in the inventory management system. This ensures that every item is tracked accurately.
  • Storage: The items are then stored in a warehouse, organized strategically to facilitate quick picking when an order is placed. A good storage system improves efficiency and reduces order preparation times.
  • Order Management: When a customer places an order online, the fulfillment system receives a notification. This system processes the order, checking inventory availability and generating a picking list for warehouse workers.
  • Picking and packing: The ordered items are picked from the shelves and brought to the packing station. Here, they are securely packaged to avoid damage during transit.
  • Shipping: After packaging, packages are labeled and prepared for shipping. The most suitable courier is selected based on various factors, such as the destination and required delivery times.
  • Returns management: A crucial aspect of fulfillment is returns management. When a customer decides to return a product, the fulfillment service provider must manage the returns process, including inspecting the returned product and restocking it to inventory if appropriate.

What does a fulfillment service provider do?

A fulfillment service provider offers a wide range of services to support e-commerce businesses in managing their orders. The main activities of a fulfillment service provider include:

  • Inventory Management: Accurately monitor inventory, manage incoming and outgoing quantities, and update inventory systems in real time.
  • Picking and Packing: Efficient picking of ordered items and safe packing for shipment.
  • Shipping: Coordination with various couriers to ensure timely and convenient deliveries.
  • Returns Management: Efficient processes to manage returns and exchanges, improving the customer experience.
  • Additional Services: Some suppliers also offer customized services such as product labeling, assembly and packaging customization.

 

Challenges in preparing e-commerce orders

Managing e-commerce orders presents several challenges that fulfillment service providers must address to ensure high-quality service:

  • Inventory Accuracy: Maintaining accurate inventory control is essential to avoiding order errors and shipping delays.
  • Operational Efficiency: Optimize picking, packing and shipping processes to handle a high volume of orders in a timely manner.
  • Managing peak demand: Effectively manage peak demand, such as during holidays or promotions, to avoid delays and ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Shipping costs: Balance shipping costs with customer expectations for delivery times and shipping costs.
  • Returns Management: Create efficient processes to manage returns in a way that is convenient for both the company and the customer.

Conclusion

Fulfillment is an essential component of the success of any e-commerce business. Effectively managing the fulfillment process can make the difference between a satisfied customer and a disappointed one. Relying on a competent and reliable fulfillment service provider can help businesses focus on their core activities, improve operational efficiency and offer a superior shopping experience to their customers. Overcoming the challenges of preparing e-commerce orders requires constant attention to accuracy, efficiency and cost management, but with the right strategies and partners, it is possible to achieve excellence and growth in the competitive e-commerce market.