Norway

Adevinta, the parent company of many leading European classified marketplaces, is in discussions regarding a potential sale. A consortium led by investment firms Permira and Blackstone is reported to have made a multi-billion-dollar offer.

Fashion retailer H&M is considering payment for online returns. Return fees could help cut increasing company costs. H&M is testing the change in return policy in Norway and the United Kingdom.

Ecommerce aggregator eBrands has raised 30 million dollars (29 million euros) in a new funding round. The Finnish company will use the funds for increased acquisition and international expansion. To date, eBrands has raised close to 50 million euros.

Finnish consumers rate ecommerce the least eco-friendly industry compared to the rest of Northern Europe, while Danish customers are the most critical about sustainability. Moreover, Finn.no, Matsmart, Aarstiderne, Tori.fi and Bol.com are voted most sustainable online retailers.

Dutch online auction company TBAuctions is acquiring the Bjarøy Group and Swedish auction platform PS Auction. The acquisitions accelerate the company's plan to build a pan-European platform for second hand goods.

Ecommerce businesses that ship to customers within the EU need to comply with VAT rules. These rules apply to all member states. But what happens when shipping to a state that's not a member?

The Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden were very early adopters of the internet and have a highly developed digital infrastructure. Online shopping is very common in the Nordics, yet research reveals that there is still growth potential in this region.

PostNord invests significantly in parcel boxes in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. The logistics company wants to have more than 12,500 of its own parcel boxes in the Nordics before the end of 2022. And after that, investments in additional parcel boxes are planned.

The Norwegian postal service Posten Norge will roll out parcel lockers across the nation. This follows after exploring the technology and the demand from both online retailers and consumers. Posten Norge will now start a nationwide network of app-operated parcel lockers.

Consignor Group, a Nordic delivery management software company, has been acquired by Francisco Partners. The private equity firm pays 1.5 billion Norwegian kroner (almost 140 million euros) for the deal. Founder Peter Thomsen will continue as CEO and a 30 percent shareholder in Consignor Group.

eBay's classified ad business will be sold to Adevinta for 9.2 billion dollars in cash and stock. eBay will receive 2.5 billion in cash and approximately 540 million shares. This gives eBay control of 44 percent of the company and 33 percent of the voting rights.

Bluestone has announced it will offer nonprofit organizations free access to its PIM platform. With this offer, the Norwegian company wants to help nonprofits around the world who have been hit hard by Covid-19.

Nuet Aquavit says it is the first Norwegian company ever to sell spirits online. The startup offers its products from their own website with global delivery. The drinks are not for sale in Norway itself. That's because sales of alcoholic beverages have to go through state-owned channels.

Grocery chain Coop and postal company Posten Norge have launched grocery home deliveries in Norway. The two companies have partnered to deliver groceries to those who can't go to stores during the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Posten Norge has started a pilot project in Oslo with 100 parcel lockers across the city. The test is meant to provide insight for the further rollout of a new parcel locker network in Norway.