Cross-border E-commerce

  Visit to the Cross-border E-commerce Event at the Stadsfeestzaal in Antwerp

On May 30, 2024, we visited the beautiful Stadsfeestzaal in Antwerp, where BECOM, together with its partners, organized the Cross-border E-commerce event. Various guest speakers shared valuable insights into the e-commerce market through informative presentations. They discussed what customers like to see, the state of the market abroad, and provided useful tips.

 Belgian E-commerce Market: Figures and Trends

We began with an overview of the Belgian market. It turned out that while the volume (€16.3 billion or +10.7%) and the number of transactions (170 million or +0.3%) are rising, the number of buyers is actually declining (8.4 million or -0.6%). This indicates a growing but consolidating market.

 European E-commerce Market: Growth and Trends

Next, we focused on the European e-commerce market. Thanks to COVID-19, revenue has increased by as much as 66%. Particularly in Eastern Europe, such as the Czech Republic and Poland, more and more shopping is done online. The largest categories in online shopping are fashion, hobbies, and groceries.

 Important Tips for Successful E-commerce

More people are shopping online, so it's important to keep these tips in mind:

- Free delivery (if possible)
- Free returns
- Good product descriptions
- High-quality photos

Cross-border Shopping: Belgium and Beyond

One of the presentations showed the results of cross-border shopping. Belgians often shop in the Netherlands, Germany, and France because of lower prices, a wider range of products, or unique items that are not available in Belgium. Germany is the most popular country for purchases in Europe, followed by the UK. Internationally, Europeans mostly shop in China and the US.

The event lasted from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with several breaks. The organization took great care of us with drinks and healthy sandwiches, providing a energy boost for the following presentations! :-)

Customer Behavior in Neighboring Countries

Another interesting session covered customer behavior in our neighboring countries, their preferences, and the do's and don'ts.

- France: The third largest market in Europe. Consumers focus on price, ethics, and sustainability. There is a rapid growth in second-hand and refurbished items. Discounts are highly appreciated.
- Germany:The second largest market. Fashion, hobbies, and electronics are the best-selling categories. Core values include trust, quality, safety, and delivery time. 60% are willing to pay more for same-day delivery, and 70% expect delivery within two days.
- The Netherlands: Price and delivery speed are crucial. Packaging and transport methods are also important. They expect real-time information during the delivery process.

Other Topics

Other topics we covered included payment methods, logistics, and European regulations. But for now, I've given enough information for anyone looking to go international with e-commerce.

Never say never, and hopefully, we'll see you go far. We'll certainly do our best! :)