Benelux

In 2022, 74.8 percent of Belgian consumers shopped online. This is a higher share than the European average of 68 percent. While Belgians prefer shopping locally, when they do place cross-border orders, these are usually in other countries within the European Union.

In the first quarter of this year, almost eight out of ten Dutch consumers bought something online. This is a small increase compared to the same period in 2022 (74 percent). The current rate of online shoppers is close to the rate in 2021, when it was 77 percent.

Belgian consumers spent 7.9 billion euros online in the first half of this year. This is an increase of 9.4 percent compared to the same period last year. For the first time, more was spent on services than on products.

Based on turnover, many of the 30 biggest brands sold on Dutch marketplace Bol are brands that sell products in consumer electronics and domestic appliances. However, when looking at the amount of sales brands in toys and personal hygiene dominate the top-30. At the same time, brands that are sold by Bol itself have 64 percent share of the total turnover.

Earlier this year, H&M introduced a return fee of 0.99 euros for shoppers in various European countries, including the Netherlands. Starting from November 1, the rate will increase there by 1 euro, more than doubling the fee. H&M club members will no longer be exempt from this.

Bol holds a significant lead in the Twinkle100, the list of the largest online retailers in the Netherlands. The revenue of Bol, as the company is now simply called, is more than twice as high as that of the runner-up, which shares the same owner.

During the year-end holiday season, Belgian postal company Bpost will charge online sellers an extra euro to send packages. The company claims that this is to compensate additional costs during this busy period. It runs from Black Friday, this year on November 24th, until Christmas Day.

NextSmartShip, a thriving Chinese fulfillment company, has taken a significant step into the European market by establishing a key office in the Netherlands. This marks the company's inaugural presence in Europe, embodying the initial phase of their ambitious global strategy, with a planned expansion into the United States on the horizon.

Dutch sustainable parcel deliverer Homerr has been acquired by Vinted Go, the shipping arm of Vinted. The amount involved in the acquisition was not disclosed. For now, Homerr will continue to operate under its own trade name.

In the first half of this year, Dutch consumers spent 16.3 billion euros online. Compared to the same period in 2022, this is an increase of 2 percent. The online share of total spending was 31 percent, just like in 2022.

Dutch B2B payments provider Sprinque is announcing its launch in Germany and Spain with new offices in those countries. The company wants to eventually offer its payments platform to the complete European market.

This year, the turnover of online stores in the Netherlands is expected to grow 4 percent, compared to last year. In 2022, a decrease of 2 percent in turnover was measured, says Dutch bank ING. At the same time, for the first time in a decade, the amount of sales in retail is expected to decline 2 percent.

Belgian partner sellers on Dutch platform Bol.com have complained about coercive contracts and the abuse of power by the platform. The platform is said to ask for information about suppliers and a large revenue share. A member of the federal parliament has called for a hearing.

As of yesterday, Dutch fulfillment company Active Ants has been fully acquired by Belgian postal company Bpost. The acquisition was already announced in 2018, but at that time management remained in the hands of Active Ants. Now, the company has sold its remaining stake to Bpost.

Dutch online flooring store Solza now sells its PVC, laminate and hybrid wood floors in a new Belgian online store. The company wants to strengthen its position as a leading flooring retailer in the Benelux with the expansion. A French version of the shop will be launched later this year.