Germany

During the second quarter of this year, online sales in Germany increased 0.2 percent compared to that same period last year. This is the first market growth in two years. However, when looking at the first half year of 2024, sales are still 1.2 percent lower than last year.

German fashion platform About You has announced that it wants to start shipping products directly from the factory to consumers. By eliminating a link in logistics, the platform hopes to lower prices and stop the loss of customers.

Ecommerce giant Alibaba has announced an exclusive membership package for sellers in Germany. It wants to support SME’s in their digitalization efforts. Starting in September, retailers can join the platform with a trial period of 3 months for 9 dollars, instead of 399 dollars.

After targeting private sellers, eBay Germany is introducing a number of enhancements for commercial sellers this summer. These improvements include upgrades in marketing and logistics.

German online platform Kaufland is collaborating with Consors Finanz, a provider of consumer loans and part of BNP Paribas Group. Online shoppers can now use a loan financing option to purchase products on the platform.

German ecommerce giant Otto is increasing the seller fees on its marketplace. The basic fee for third party sellers will rise from 39.9 euros per month to 99.9 euros. According to the platform, the change is caused by the fact that many partner sellers have added low-quality products to the marketplace in the past.

German online pet supply store Zooplus is planning to launch its own marketplace. By doing this, the platform will be able to quickly expand its product range. The launch of the marketplace is planned in November, but it is unclear in which regions.

Axel Springer will cease operations of the comparison site Ladenzeile and its international equivalents named Shopalike by the end of this month. Reduced visibility on Google likely played a significant role in this decision.

Amazon is the largest online furniture retailer in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy. In France, the American giant lags behind Ikea, which also ranks in the top three in other major European countries. Only in Germany does a local player, Otto, lead the market.

Germany’s Ministry of Finance has expressed support for the abolition of the current customs exemption that benefits Asian marketplaces. AliExpress, Shein, Temu, and other platforms currently enjoy a tax exemption on import packages valued up to 150 euros.

Marketplaces with origins in Asia have gained significant popularity in Germany over the past year. Recent research indicates that nine out of ten German consumers are familiar with these platforms, and 43 percent purchase items from them. Especially Temu is on the rise.

Austrian online marketplace Shöpping is launching in Germany at the end of this year. By doing so, Austrian sellers will be able to reach a larger audience. At the same time, the marketplace will continue adding more retailers from the European Union to the platform.

TikTok is set to introduce its ecommerce activities in continental Europe soon. The company has started inviting merchants to beta-test in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. Launches in other European countries are likely to follow eventually.

German ecommerce giant Otto has announced that it is outsourcing part of its own logistics. The Group is building a shipping center in Poland. From the new location, orders will be picked and shipped to German customers.

Last year, more than half of all online sales in Germany were generated on marketplaces. Additionally, 55 percent of online sales in that country were carried out on smartphones. This corresponds to almost 47 billion euros in sales.