The Benelux Ecommerce Region Report for 2020, is the latest in RetailX’s series of reports analysing key ecommerce markets in Europe and around the world. The report is something of a departure for RetailX in that, in looking at an area that consists of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the scope is wider than our country reports. We have chosen to adopt this approach not just because the Benelux region is tightly integrated economically, but because it is a region that will grow in importance in ecommerce terms in the near future.
The Benelux region is a well-digitalised society, with a population that is familiar with using the internet, both for online shopping as well as public administration. In fact, 94% of the population is expected to be online in 2020. Consumer adoption of ecommerce has steadily increased from 2015, as 81% of the online population is going to buy something online in 2020.
One specific reason for the region’s growth in importance lies in Brexit. With the end of the United Kingdom’s post-Brexit transition period all too likely to increase friction in cross-border trade from the country, many retailers are taking long-term decisions about where they will need, for example, warehousing and administrative centres from which to serve Europe. The Benelux countries, core members of the European Union and the Single Market, are inevitably being considered when these kinds of discussions take place.
Famously, Amazon’s European HQ is already in Luxembourg, in great part because of the tax advantages this offers. The region enjoys other advantages too. The ports of the Netherlands have long been central to world trade. The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest seaport, the only European port in the top 10 ports in the world by cargo volume. It makes sense to have distribution centres close to where so many imports arrive.
In addition, we should not forget that Benelux is a potentially lucrative market for retailers in itself, with sophisticated consumers comfortable with the idea of shopping online. As we outline in the report, it is also instructive to look at Benelux because it is diverse in terms of having so many groups that think of themselves as distinct from near neighbours. Get localisation right in Benelux, with its different nationalities and languages, and you can get it right anywhere.
The report includes:
- Market context: B2C online retail in Benelux
- Ecommerce association Q&A: Greet Dekocker, SafeShops
- Ecommerce association Q&A: Sofie Geeroms, BeCommerce
- Ecommerce association Q&A: Wijnand Jongen, Thuiswinkel.org
- Partner perspective: Asendia Benelux
- The launch of amazon.nl
- Logistics in the Netherlands
- Languages in the Benelux region
- Analysis of the overall Benelux market
- Analysis of the markets in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands
- More than 40 detailed graphs and charts
The Benelux Ecommerce Country Report is priced at €499 or can be downloaded free by retailers when they use a valid retailer email address at the checkout.
Holly brings a wealth of experience in both print and digital publishing. As Modern Retail’s Content Editor, Holly is passionate about helping independent retailers to thrive in today’s ever-changing market.
