Online retailers in Switzerland are facing a shortage of suitable logistics locations within the country. They are outsourcing warehousing or seeking solutions across the border, according to the Swiss Handelszeitung.

German consumers will soon be able to place unpackaged returns for Amazon in DHL parcel lockers. Amazon and DHL have been working together on unpackaged returns since October 2022. Now, the service is being expanded.

Ecommerce giant Amazon is implementing artificial intelligence in twelve warehouses. The technology will screen items for damage before being shipped. This will reduce the amount of damaged items sent out and speed up picking and packing.

SellerX, a Berlin-based aggregator of Amazon sellers, has acquired Elevate Brands, its American industry peer. They will operate together as SellerX Group, which aims to become “one of the largest and most profitable global consolidators of e-commerce brands”.

Nine out of ten Belgians between the ages of 18 and 70 bought something online at least once last year. At least 33 percent of Belgian consumers say that they have one online store they always use to purchase a certain product online. Another 40 percent return to the same three online stores.

Secondhand fashion marketplace Vinted says that it is technically ready for an IPO. However, the company currently has no plans of going public. The CEO envisions a different type of growth for the company, to become a stronger tech company that will last for decades.

Amazon is convinced of the added value of the digital euro, which the European Central Bank (ECB) aims to introduce. The company has built a prototype for its application in ecommerce payments.

British fashion platform Asos has successfully raised 75 million pounds (86.7 million euros) from institutional investors. Additionally, it has launched an equity raise of 5 million pounds (5.8 million euros) from retail investors. With the capital injection, the company wants to improve stock control and reduce costs.

Inflation and subdued consumer confidence are expected to dampen online spending in Germany, according to the latest announcement by Handelsverband Deutschland (HDE).

The Lithuania-based online supplier of prefabricated wooden buildings, Pineca, is launching an online store in the Netherlands. This is the company’s second expansion within Europe in this year. The company is already active in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal as well.

Katchin, a marketplace for jewelry, watches, and accessories, has launched in Germany and France. This expansion follows its launch in the UK earlier this year. Katchin is a venture by the Fossil Group. It operates on Mirakl's marketplace software.

Fashion retailer Zara is planning to expand its pre-owned clothing marketplace Zara Pre-Owned across European markets in the second half of this year. One of the selected markets is the Netherlands. The platform is currently available in the United Kingdom.

The European Commission is planning to impose import duties on goods up to 150 euros, which are currently exempted. Brussels has previously abolished VAT exemptions. These measures strengthen the position of traders within the Union.

Most online companies in Germany are located in the Western regions North Rhine Westphalia (22 percent) and Bavaria (17 percent). Only 1.75 percent come from the Eastern regions Thuringia and 1 percent from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

While other flash delivery companies are downsizing or merging, Wolt is expanding its coverage area. With its launch in Vienna and Reykjavik, the Finnish company is now active in 25 countries, almost all of them in Europe. Wolt delivers orders for both restaurants and retailers.