Bevh, the German association for distance sellers, is requesting to reconsider European regulations regarding online platforms. The interest group argues that large platforms are being regulated too strictly and claims that this results in discrimination against these platforms, compared to physical competitors.
Chinese online marketplace AliExpress is launching Local+, a fulfillment solution that allows retailers to outsource shipping. The platform has partnered with several warehouses in Europe. As a result, shipping will be quicker.
Last year, Amazon earned 23.6 percent more from ads in Germany, while the company’s total revenue in the country grew by 'only' 8.7 percent. Amazon continues to capitalize on its reach, outpacing its competitors.
The three largest marketplaces in Austria account for 52 percent of the total online spending in the country. Amazon stands head and shoulders above the rest, with a 41 percent share of the total. Zalando and eBay follow, while Chinese platforms are gaining ground.
Austrian online retailers are facing increasing competition from international online stores, particularly those from Asia. One in three orders is now placed with platforms from that continent. The Chamber of Commerce is calling for concrete measures against platforms such as Shein and Temu.
In the first two months after its launch, German consumers have not embraced TikTok Shop in large numbers. TikTok Shop is known by one in three consumers, but only one in forty Germans has made a purchase, according to research by media agency OMD.
Temu has now been active in Europe for two years. According to a recent survey by the Chinese marketplace, German customers said that they have average saving of 27 percent on purchases they placed on Temu in 2024. And 41 percent wonder why identical products cost more on other platforms.
The German Retail Association (HDE) is increasing its forecast for ecommerce for this year. It predicts a four percent increase. The German ecommerce market is expected to reach a total value of 92.4 billion euros in sales by the end of this year.
The Otto Group has found its way back to profitability. The company refers to the past financial year, which ended in February, as an “extremely convincing financial year”. The retail and services group generated a net profit of 165 million euros. Otto is optimistic about the future and expects further growth, particularly from its successful marketplace.
Online consumer spending in Switzerland increased by 3.5 percent last year, while brick-and-mortar retail saw a slight decline of 0.2 percent. As in many other countries, the share of online sales within total retail continues to rise.
After launching in the United States and the United Kingdom, TikTok Shop now aims to enable the trade of second-hand products on its platform elsewhere in Europe. The company is currently recruiting a program manager who will be responsible for defining and implementing the pre-owned category strategy across the European Union.
Six months after its debut in the U.S., Amazon Haul has now launched in the United Kingdom. The rollout is in beta, but Amazon has stated that “ultra-low-priced products” will soon be available to all customers in the United Kingdom.
Second-hand fashion marketplace Vinted sells the most clothing in France in terms of sales volume. It outranks Amazon and local omnichannel clothing seller Kiabi. This indicates that recommerce is gaining market share in the country.
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.
Kaufland will open its marketplace to consumers in France and Italy by the end of the summer. “We are the alternative to global ecommerce giants, from Europe for Europe. With that goal in mind, we are now taking the next two steps - certainly not the last”, according to Gerald Schönbucher, CEO of Kaufland e-commerce.