No ecommerce without logistics. Because whenever a consumer orders something online, that product has to be shipped from one place (one of many warehouses and fulfilment centers in Europe) to another (the consumer’s house, a pick-up point, et cetera). So logistics (and logistics companies) play a very important role in the whole ecommerce process. In order to achieve success in the online retail industry, one has to have a very solid logistics plan in place.
At least 85 to 95 percent of products from Shein, AliExpress and Temu do not comply with European legislation. This is according to an inspection by European market surveillance authorities. Dutch regulators want a joint approach to protect consumers.
Galaxus, Switzerland's largest ecommerce company, saw its platform sales increase 18 percent last year, reaching 3.4 billion euros. Growth was particularly strong outside its home market, with further European expansion on the agenda.
Zalando customers in Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy will have less time to return orders starting tomorrow. The return window will be shortened from 100 days to 30 days. Changes to the loyalty program, Zalando Plus, are also imminent in these three countries.
Ecommerce giant Amazon has announced that it has finished a first test with delivery drones in Italy. The company wants to deliver items weighing up to approximately 2 kilograms to customers’ gardens with these drones. It is unclear when it will start using this service in the country.
Ecommerce giant Amazon is currently having capacity problems in its logistics centers in Europe. It is now warning sellers that it cannot accept all shipments. This means that merchants might have issues getting their inventory to the marketplace in time for the holidays.
During September and October, average return values reached almost 127 euros (106 British pounds) in the United Kingdom. This was a 7 percent increase from the same period last year. It seems that consumers are returning more high-value products.
Click and collect is becoming a standard option for online shoppers. A majority (54 percent) of the top thousand European online retailers offer a pick-up option, enhancing their appeal to shoppers.
Latvian technology platforms Printful and Printify have announced a merger. The joined company will be able to offer better prices to customers, while also operating on a bigger scale. Both brands will continue operating under their own names.
This week, fulfillment company Monta has announced further international expansion. The company will open fulfillment centers in France, Italy and Poland. The new locations will be operational by this time next year.
Amazon is introducing new return policies in the United Kingdom on November 11. International sellers will be required to provide a domestic return address or issue a return label; otherwise, the customer will receive a refund without needing to return the item.
Ecommerce giant Amazon has announced that it is revising its policy on shipment tracking in January in Germany. The change will affect domestic and cross-border shipments. Merchants on the platform have voiced their concerns about rising costs.
Ecommerce giant Amazon has announced that it is implementing a temporarily extended return period. The longer return period is coming into effect during the holiday season. According to the marketplace, it will help merchants increase their sales.
DHL eCommerce has formed a joint venture with the state postal company Poste Italiane. Together, they aim to build a network of ten thousand parcel lockers across Italy. The opening of the first parcel locker in Rome marks the start of Locker Italia, the name given to the joint venture.
Ecommerce giant Amazon is launching an exporting tool called Export Central. This allows sellers to reach more customers in Europe, even in countries without localized Amazon stores. Thanks to the tool, sellers do not have to duplicate their listing or register new accounts.
Trendyol, a major ecommerce player from Turkey, is developing plans to build a regional logistics center near the Romanian capital, Bucharest. The company aims to serve all of southeastern Europe from the new logistics hub, which will employ 250 people when fully operational in 2025.