Switzerland

The customs legislation in Switzerland is undergoing a major overhaul. The legislative amendment, approved by the National Council, could have significant implications for parcel delivery in Switzerland. Critics anticipate that it will become slower, more complicated, and more expensive.

Last year, ecommerce giant Amazon was able to generate a turnover of 34 billion euros in Germany, with the sales of its products and services. This was a growth of 12 percent compared to a year earlier. Its trade income in that year is estimated at 22.8 billion euros.

Only a fraction of online retailers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland offer free delivery for online orders. The largest group of sellers charges shoppers an average of between 2 and 5 euros for shipping.

Preventing returns is a significant focus for online retailers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. On average, a return costs them between 5 and 10 euros, with some exceeding this range. Detailed product information is seen by entrepreneurs as the key solution.

French cosmetics company Yves Rocher is closing all of its branches in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. With the company’s current business model, it is no longer possible to operate sustainably and successfully. It will continue operating in those markets, but online only.

Zalando launches a body measurement feature to assist customers in the DACH region in finding their right size. They receive size advice based on their measurement by taking two pictures of themselves. With this tool, size-related returns should be reduced.

In 2022, Zalando generated a revenue of 1.79 billion euros in Switzerland. It is the biggest online store in the country. Two thirds of the country’s top 30 online stores have either shrunk or stagnated compared to 2021.

Online stores in Switzerland will not be mandated to charge for the return of goods. The Swiss National Council has rejected a motion proposing a returns fee. The obligation would be an encroachment on economic freedom.

Online retailers in Switzerland are facing a shortage of suitable logistics locations within the country. They are outsourcing warehousing or seeking solutions across the border, according to the Swiss Handelszeitung.

Furniture and houseware retailer Home24 is expanding its marketplace to more European countries. The platform for third-party sellers launched in Germany this summer. By the end of 2022, it will enter Austria, France and Switzerland.

Galaxus, a major online department store from Switzerland, launches in Austria today. With a range of half a million products, it will start out as a wide-range store immediately. It wants to be one of the top 5 online retailers in Austria. The company is now active in Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

Ecommerce in Switzerland has achieved a significant growth last year. The value of goods ordered online and through distance selling increased by 25.8 percent to 13.3 billion Swiss francs, which corresponds to 12.18 billion euros.

Manor, a big department store chain from Switzerland, has launched its online marketplace. The platform was announced last year, was released in silent beta mode recently and is now officially live.   

Many people in Switzerland have permanently changed their shopping behavior due to the corona pandemic. Almost half of Swiss consumers want to consume less in the future. In several product and service categories, the amount of money spent is expected to decline.

For the first time, ecommerce in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (also known as the DACH region) reached a consolidated volume of more than 100 billion euros. The German-speaking ecommerce markets are now generating more sales than any other language area in Europe.