“Western European e-commerce will grow 10% in 2013”

Bronze for the
Netherlands, Belgium “growth market”

For the first time, the six “West European” countries represent 51 % of the European e-commerce
market, because of an expected 10 % turnover growth compared to 2012. However,
Ecommerce Europe (the organization representing the sector) noted a 20 % growth
last year, doubling this year’s growth.

Out of the six markets, the British
is by far the largest e-commerce market with a 96.2 billion
euro turnover last year, which this year will surpass the 100 billion euro milestone. France only
manages about half (45 billion euro in 2012) while the Netherlands take up spot
number 3, with 9.8 billion euro last year.

Belgium takes fifth spot with 3
billion euro, trailing Ireland in fourth (with 3.8 billion euro). Both countries are making up ground fast though: Belgium should manage 20 % growth to 3.6 billion euro,
while Ireland should even manage 25 % growth to 4.6 billion euro.

British families reach astonishing average

British families spend the most
online out of the six countries in the report, with an astonishing average of 4,010 euro per family. A Dutch family will only spend 1,365 euro online, while
Belgian families only spend 836 euro. On average, a family in the European Union will spend 1,696 euro online.

Ecommerce Europe believes the Belgian numbers will quickly rise: “Belgian e-commerce is growing strongly
and we assume the country will catch up fast.” The organization does not seem
as confident about the Netherlands: “The Netherlands are considered to be a
mature market and the high density of retail stores limits the necessity to
buy online, especially compared to other countries.”

Ecommerce Europe, the
European organization representing more than 4,000 online retailers, compiled
al these conclusions (and others) into a report: “Western European B2C
Ecommerce Report”.

(Translated by Gary Peeters)