Launch

Facebook has launched its own ecommerce platform called Facebook Shops. The service can be used on both Facebook and Instagram, with the products displayed through pages, stories and advertisements. In the future, placing an order in WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram Direct will also be possible.

Nuet Aquavit says it is the first Norwegian company ever to sell spirits online. The startup offers its products from their own website with global delivery. The drinks are not for sale in Norway itself. That's because sales of alcoholic beverages have to go through state-owned channels.

H&M Group has announced the online expansion of five of its brands. This month, COS, Weekday, Monki, & Other Stories and Arket will have their collections available online in nine new markets across Europe.

FC Barcelona has launched its own ecommerce channel for the sale of products from the Barça Store at Camp Nou. In the online store, fans will find club merchandising and retail items. There are also items that can only be bought at point of sales managed directly by the club.

Asda has launched a new online platform where it sells food boxes. With this initiative the UK supermarket chain wants to reach out to vulnerable shoppers and the elderly so they can have access to food.

H&M apparently has plans to soon launch Afound in Germany. The outlet concept is currently only available in two markets, but a third might be on its way. At least, that's what a Facebook ad makes people believe.

Today, Zalando has started the online sales of textile masks in Europe. The disposable masks are sold at an affordable price in all 17 markets and the profit will go to international efforts against the coronavirus.

Maternia has launched the online sales of prescription eyeglasses. This was originally planned for the second half of 2020, but due to the current situation caused by the coronavirus the eye care specialist accelerated these expansion plans.

La Rinascente, a department store chain from Italy, will launch its own online store in June. Initially, the idea was to make an online debut last month, but this has been delayed due to the outbreak of coronavirus Covid-19.

The German retail platform Shopdaheim is a success. Four weeks after the launch, almost 10.000 dealer addresses from 41 different industries are listed. Every day, clicks in the six-figure range generated through the platform.

Bol.com will start with a French-speaking online shop in June this year. For, the Dutch ecommerce giant this will mark the first time its online store isn't in Dutch. It also means Bol.com will be accessible for all consumers in Belgium.

Online optician Mister Spex now offers an online eye test, since the coronavirus has made it impossible in many European countries to visit an optician. It says it's the first optician to offer customers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland the possibility of an individual eye test via an online application.

Amazon has officially launched in the Netherlands. Instead of selling only e-books and e-readers, the ecommerce giant now offers all kinds of products. With product categories such as consumer electronics, toys, fashion, DIY and foodstuff it's going to compete with local players Bol.com, Coolblue and Wehkamp.

Zalando will launch a 'Pre-Owned' category in its platform. This fall, Germany will be the first market to offer this will service. It will be available in the women's, men's and kids' segments.

Amazon Business Prime has launched in Spain, the fourth market in Europe where this premium service can now be used by businesses. With Amazon Business Prime, customers can get unlimited free delivery in one business day, as well as delivery on the same evening.