Amazon has launched its online print on demand platform Merch by Amazon in Europe. The service is now available in Germany and the United Kingdom. The launch in Europe follows three years after Amazon introduced the platform in the US.

Viniexport, an online marketplace from Italy that enables companies to buy and sell wine worldwide, has secured a 2 million euros funding round. With the money, the marketplace wants to pursue its European expansion.

Allyouneed.com, the online marketplace of DHL Deutsche Post, is about to end its services. For eight years, DHL tried to set up its own marketplace. First under the name MeinPaket.de, later rebranded to Allyouneed. But now it's closing.

Ecommerce delivery platform MetaPack has been acquired by Stamps, a shipping software solution from the US. Stamps.com, which also offers provides postage online, bought the UK business for approximately 197 million euros.

It's not uncommon for online shoppers in Switzerland to pay a shipping fee for their online order. This year, free shipping is, just like in previous years, still the exception. Less than a fifth of the top-selling online stores in Switzerland send orders without any shipping costs.

Ecommerce is beating the high street in the United Kingdom, as 51 percent of consumers say they prefer to shop online instead of at physical stores. Over half of consumers also said they are shopping more online this year, compared to 2017.

Last year, ecommerce in Germany managed to grow 9.5 percent compared to the situation in 2016. This has led to the online retail industry being worth 85 billion euros. It's expected ecommerce in Germany will grow to 93 billion euros at the end of this year.

Shopware, one of the most popular ecommerce software providers from Germany, is moving more and more into the international markets. The company is increasingly present in other countries, with the launch of its first office in the UK coming soon.

UK Mail will become DHL Parcel UK. After Deutsche Post DHL Group acquired the British parcels and mail company in December 2016, it has now become time for UK Mail to fully integrate into the group's network of European parcel companies.

Amazon is seen as a threat by almost half of Nordic online retailers. On the other hand, over a quarter of ecommerce players see Amazon entering the Nordic market as an opportunity. With Amazon's arrival, local retailers can use the established marketplace to sell their products to more consumers.

Eko, a Swedish chain of hypermarkets owned by Bergendahls, will not only expand its business by opening new physical stores, it also entered a new market online. The company has launched its first ecommerce platform, called E by Night, which sells sex toys and related products online.

Spanish fashion giant Inditex says online sales now account for 10 percent of its global total. In 47 markets around the world, Inditex has one or several ecommerce platforms available and these online sales increased by 41 percent compared to last year.

In Switzerland, many online consumers are often subject to unexpected additional fees. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs now wants to oblige foreign online retailers that are active in Switzerland to list all fees customers need to pay when they order online.

Fashion retailer H&M is experimenting with same day delivery. Currently, this delivery method is only being tested with customers who live in Berlin, but chances are H&M will roll it out in other cities or even countries, when the pilot is a success.

What are the top-selling online shops in Switzerland this year? Which Swiss ecommerce companies generated the highest turnover? Consulting firm Carpathia analyzed figures of the largest online retailers in Switzerland and came up with a top 50.