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.
Chinese online marketplace AliExpress has launched its hourly delivery service in the United Kingdom. Shoppers in London who order packaged food, beverages and everyday household items can now enjoy same-day delivery. The platform wants to expand the service in the rest of the country soon.
The European Parliament has adopted new proposals to manage the growing influx of substandard and unsafe cheap products into the European Union, from non-EU online stores. Currently, 12 million small ecommerce packages arrive in the EU every day. The new proposals could make checking their quality easier.
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.
Spanish wholesale platform BigBuy has found a new financial partner, Kaazar Capital. BigBuy told Ecommerce News that the investing company has acquired a minority stake. From now on, Kaazar Capital will contribute to the company’s financial and growth strategy.
Chinese online marketplace AliExpress is launching Local+, a fulfillment solution that allows retailers to outsource shipping. The platform has acquired several warehouses in Europe. As a result, shipping will be quicker.
Starting in July, online sellers who ship with DHL will be charged a monthly fee for parcel shipping. At the same time, parcel prices are reduced. According to the company, this means that average costs are reduced when shipment volume increases.
In the high-volume world of online retail, the stakes are high when it comes to ensuring seamless logistics. One misplaced parcel or a delayed delivery can tarnish a brand’s reputation and burden operations with costly claims and frustrated customers. For Thomann, a German high-volume online music retailer, solving this challenge has been central to supporting its rapid growth and keeping customer satisfaction high.
Arvato, a supply chain service provider from Germany, is opening a new logistics center in Instanbul. It is the company’s ninth warehouse in Turkey. The new location will offer omnichannel fulfillment services.
Shopify merchants in Germany now have direct access to DHL shipping services through the ecommerce software platform. In addition to added convenience, online retailers also benefit from lower costs, according to DHL. The integration will become available in other key European markets as well.
Many major online retailers in Germany leave customers in the dark about how long they will have to wait for their products to be delivered. Personalized delivery time windows are especially scarce, even though consumers would appreciate them. “The desire for specific delivery times remains largely unmet.”
Ecommerce giant Amazon is lowering its package fees for several product groups in its Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) program. Fees for items in these categories will be based on package size and unit weight.
Dutch fashion platform Otrium has announced the launch of a new automated warehouse, called the O-Mega Robot. According to the company, this AutoStore system has up to 400 percent better space utilization than traditional warehouses.
European online retailers missed out on more than half a billion euros in revenue during the last four months of 2024 due to millions of lost parcels. The actual impact is significantly greater, according to Metapack.
For the past three years, DHL has been charging German online retailers a surcharge for parcel deliveries in November and December. This year, an additional hefty fee will be added during two peak weeks. It could lead German online stores to focus more heavily on Singles Day.
Temu and DHL Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The companies say they aim to support the growth of SMEs in established markets as well as in growth markets. DHL will utilize its logistics expertise to support Temu's operations in Europe, including its local-to-local model.