Biggest cross-border fans

Nordics e-commerce indicators

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The Nordic countries were early adopters of the Internet and have a highly developed digital infrastructure. The Nordics are above the European average for the number of e-commerce consumers, internet penetration and average spend per year. Growth in the number of new e-commerce consumers has been relatively weak at 12 percent, which is to be expected in a mature market where the majority already buy online. The products most commonly bought online in the Nordic region are clothes and fashion, home electronics, and cosmetics.

Nordic consumers accept longer delivery times

To date, no platform or market place operator has established a presence in the Nordics. This means the Nordic countries have not yet been able to fully share in the benefits that truly large scale platform operator’s offer, such as free shipping and same-day deliveries. The absence of these global giants, in combination with large geographic distances, is probably one explanation why Nordic consumers are willing to accept relatively long delivery times.

Nordic countries the biggest buyers from abroad

PostNord driver delivering package in Nordic snow climateThe Nordics are the countries in the survey that buy the most from abroad. 83 percent of the consumers who have bought online say that they have also made purchases from abroad. The foreign markets mostly favored by the Nordic consumers are China, UK, Germany and USA. Even if not all the Nordic countries are EU members, they have their own reciprocal trade agreements, which favor e-commerce between the countries.

PostNord/Direct Link has conducted studies of the European e-commerce market since 2014, presenting its findings in the report “E-commerce in Europe”. The report is based on interviews with consumers in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In a series of blog posts, we will take a closer look at the individual e-commerce markets covered by this year’s “E-commerce in Europe 2018”. The new 2018 report can be ordered free of charge.

For more in-depth information about consumer behavior in the Nordics, you can also order our report “E-commerce in the Nordics”.

Olof Källgren, Market Information Manager, Direct Link

PostNord/Direct Link has conducted studies of the European e-commerce market since 2014, presenting its findings in the report “E-commerce in Europe”. The report is based on interviews with consumers in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In a series of blog posts, we will take a closer look at the individual e-commerce markets covered by this year’s “E-commerce in Europe 2018”.

Focus on the Netherlands

Netherlands e-commerce indicators

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The Netherlands rank among the more highly developed e-commerce markets in Europe. The number of e-commerce consumers and the level of internet penetration is above the European average. The growth in the number of new e-commerce consumers has been moderate – 17 percent between 2014 and 2018. The products most commonly bought online in the Netherlands are clothes and footwear, home electronics, and books.

High demands for fast delivery

Speed is a crucial factor for Dutch consumers. The country is small, densely populated and centrally placed in Europe. Consumers have become used to high delivery standards. This is clearly shown by the fact that 34 percent of online consumers say it should take no more than two days to receive an e-commerce delivery – a considerably higher figure than in any other European country in the study. Companies considering selling in the Netherlands should take the local delivery culture into account.

Ideal is the dominant payment option

When it comes to payments online, the local service Ideal has been the cornerstone in the Netherlands since the early 2000s. The payment service, developed and supported by the major Dutch banks, enables direct payments to be made online. The service has gained a strong position, and basically all sellers wanting to sell in the Netherlands need to support payments via Ideal.

The new 2018 report can be ordered free of charge.

Olof Källgren, Market Information Manager, Direct Link

Incident bulletins are sent weekly with information about situations that affect postal distribution.

This week’s bulletin contains updates about: Belgium, Italy, Iceland, USA, Canada, China, Brazil, Israel, South Korea and Indonesia.

Belgium

Start date:                   25th  October
End date:

Media sources reported on October 29 that a baggage handlers’ strike since October 25 has disrupted flight operations at Brussels Airport. At least 150 flights were canceled on October 28 and the strike is expected to continue through at least the morning of October 30 as negotiations on October 28 failed.

Italy

Start date:                   27th  October
End date:                    31st  October

Poste Italiane has advised, recent widespread power outages across the country have led to delays in processing and delivering mail. While power has now been restored, there may be delays of up to 24 hours to mail posted to Italy from 27 October 2018.

Iceland

Start date:                   23rd  October
End date:                     29th October

Iceland Post informed on October 29 that postal operations have resumed following an earlier disruption. All EDI messages are active and the missing messages have been sent.

USA

Update:                     29th October

The United States Postal Service has updated that, with few exceptions, service has returned to normal in the areas affected by the hurricanes.

Canada

Start date:                   22nd  October
Update:                       1st November

Canada Post has updated that the Canadian Union of Postal Workers continues to hold rotating strikes in various locations across Canada while negotiations are ongoing with the help of a special mediator. Mail and parcels will not be delivered or picked up in impacted areas. Canada Post is working to restore service and address postal backlogs once the disruption ends. Canada Post continues to operate across the rest of Canada and is accepting and delivering mail and parcels at all other locations.

China

Start date:                   30th October
End date:                    18th November

Currently until the 18th November, Most E-commerce companies in China have started “Double 11” Shopping Festival Sales. Please note that during this period the China Postal Service have advised they could face potential delays due to increased volumes through their network.

Brazil

Start date:                   30th October
End date:

It has been reported that employees with Correios have embarked on a strike in Corumba, Brazil, since October 30. The strike culminates several working condition complaints and it is anticipated to significantly impact Correios’ distribution through Mato Grosso do Sul region.

Israel

Start date:                   30th October
End date:                    31st  October

Tuesday 30 October will be a non-working day due to local elections in Israel. As a result, all international and domestic mail collection and deliveries will be suspended for the day.

South Korea

Start date:                   25th October
End date:                    26th  October

Korea Post informed on October 26 that an EDI transmission error disrupted the sending and receiving of letter post, parcels and EMS items. The postal operations were impacted between 7:35 pm local time on October 25 and 7:40 am local time on October 26. The situation has since returned to normal.

Indonesia

Update:                    29th October

Post Indonesia has updated that all postal services on Lombok Island and Central Sulawesi have returned to normal.

PostNord/Direct Link has conducted studies of the European e-commerce market since 2014, presenting its findings in the report “E-commerce in Europe”. The report is based on interviews with consumers in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In a series of blog posts, we will take a closer look at the individual e-commerce markets covered by this year’s “E-commerce in Europe 2018”.

Focus on Spain

Spain e-commerce indicators

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The Spanish e-commerce scene has expanded quite dramatically during the last few years. After lagging behind most other European countries it is now starting to catch up. The number of e-commerce consumers, internet penetration and average spend per year is now more or less in line with the European average. The growth in the number of new e-commerce consumers has been very high – 48 percent between 2014 and 2018. The products most commonly bought online in Spain are clothes and footwear, home electronics and books.

Price an important factor

Spain recently underwent a financial crisis, and this has led to price sensitivity among consumers and a burgeoning low-price sector. Spain is one of the countries in Europe where low prices are most highly valued when consumers choose which online shop to buy from. Also, of the markets in Europe, Spain is the one where consumers buy most low-price products from China. Two payment methods totally dominate in Spain – credit cards, and Paypal and its rivals.

Low shipping cost also essential

The Spanish interest in low prices is also reflected when it comes to choice of transport. To nearly seven out of ten online consumers, it’s very important that shipping is free. A large majority of Spaniards also prefer home delivery. Another plus point is if the seller can offer a choice of both delivery time and place. This is more important in Spain than in any other country in the survey.

The new 2018 report can be ordered free of charge.

Olof Källgren, Market Information Manager, Direct Link

Incident bulletins are sent weekly with information about situations that affect postal distribution.

This week’s bulletin contains updates about: Iceland, Spain, Canada, Israel and Costa Rica.

Iceland

Start date: 23rd October
End date: unknown

Iceland Post stated on October 23 that postal operations remain affected due to an ongoing IPS system update. Although they are able to send EDI messages, other types of messages such as EMSEVT or ITMATT remain disrupted.

Spain

Start date: 18th October
End date: 22nd October

Heavy rain and flooding impacted pickup and delivery services in Valencia, Malaga, Teruel, Tarragona and Castellón from October 18 until 22. At present, roads have reopened and operation services have returned to normalcy.

Canada

Start date: 22nd October
End date:

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) initiated rotating strike action in several cities as of Monday October 22 at 12:01 AM which did not directly affect international operations. Operations returned to normal within 24hrs. However, CUPW did initiate a rotating strike affecting the Toronto and Greater Toronto Area on Tuesday 23rd October at 12:01 AM and have given notice this strike action will continue for a second day.
Mail and parcels will not be delivered or picked up in the affected area while the union continues their strike activity. While Canada Post is attempting to minimize the effect on customers, the union has decided to shut down a key processing hub serving the Toronto and Greater Toronto Area for mail and parcels in Canada for a second day. Customers should expect to see delays for parcel and mail delivery.
Canada Post continues to operate across the rest of Canada and is accepting and delivering mail and parcels in all other locations. Canada Post remains committed to arriving at a negotiated settlement with CUPW, while making every effort to minimize the effect of any disruption on customers.

Israel

Start date: 30th October
End date: 31st October

Tuesday 30 October will be a non-working day due to local elections in Israel. As a result, all international and domestic mail collection and deliveries will be suspended for the day.

Costa Rica

Start date: 10th September
End date: 24th October

The strike by the Public-Sector Labour Unions has now ended and mail services have resumed. However, there may be a backlog as the result of the strike which may take a few days to clear.