“The upswing is here”, writes bevh above a report on online retail spending in Germany. According to the industry association, consumers spent 39.84 billion euros on products online in the first half of this year. This marks a 3.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The growth was even stronger in the second quarter.
Smaller online businesses in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are not benefiting from the restored growth in online spending. On the contrary, their revenue is decreasing. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for smaller online stores to maintain their position in the market.”
Bol, the largest online sales platform in the Netherlands, is allowing sellers from outside the European Union to join for the first time. This year, the first 100 non-EU sellers are expected to join. The company emphasizes strict quality control for offerings from countries such as China. Products must be stocked within Europe.
Compared to other European countries, the Netherlands has the highest share of online shoppers. In the last quarter of 2024, at least 86.7 percent of Dutch consumers bought something online. It means that hundreds of thousands started online shopping last year.
German seller of furniture and home decorations Westwing has recently entered three new markets. It has launched in Croatia, Finland and Slovenia. The company is now present in 18 European countries.