Southern & Eastern Countries Show Greatest Growth Potential in Europe

Georgia tops Europe in eCommerce growth, with revenues predicted to jump from US$129 billion in 2024 to US$232 billion by 2028, driven by a remarkable CAGR of 15.8%. Key factors include improving digital infrastructure, rising internet penetration, and a young population with an average age of 38.1 years. The country’s online share is expected to climb from 7.9% to 12.4% over the same period, reflecting its rapid digital adoption.

Bulgaria and Malta are also notable, with CAGRs of 13.6% and 11.3%, respectively. Bulgaria’s market is set to nearly double by 2028, while Malta continues to show steady progress. Starting from lower online shares, these emerging markets present untapped potential compared to mature eCommerce leaders like...Read more

Klarna’s Impact Is Strongest in Sweden and Norway

Klarna, the Swedish fintech provider of “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) solutions, stands out in Sweden and Norway, where it holds high adoption rates. 47.2% of Swedish online stores offer Klarna Invoice, and 39.2% of Norwegian stores do the same. Klarna Installment ranks fourth in Norway and fifth in Sweden, making it the most adopted BNPL service in these markets.

While Klarna has less presence in countries like Germany (19% for Invoice, 12% for Installments), its popularity continues to grow in category-specific markets. In Finland, Klarna ranks third in Electronics, while in the UK, Klarna Installments dominate in Fashion (27%) and Furniture & Homeware (24.8%).

Klarna’s success is driven by cultural factors, including high living standards and the adoption of online payments, but its growth story is not without risks, especially...Read more

Online Platforms Are the Number One Purchase Channels for Christmas Gifts

This holiday season, online platforms dominate as the go-to shopping destination. A recent survey shows that 75% of German consumers buy their Christmas gifts online, closely followed by 74% in the UK and 64% in the U.S. Department stores, the second most popular channel, lag significantly behind, trailing by around 30 percentage points.

The appeal of online shopping lies in its convenience, which is especially crucial in the busy holiday season. Among those buying gifts online, German consumers show the strongest preference for one-stop shopping at 61%, favoring platforms like Amazon. U.S. and UK consumers are about evenly split between one-stop and multi-platform shopping. These consumer preferences show that generalists like Amazon are...Read more

Dear Reader,

As 2024 comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the year: Each week, we've shared key insights and news from the world of eCommerce, and we truly appreciate you following along.

We now wish you a peaceful holiday season with your loved ones as you celebrate and welcome the new year. We’ll be taking a short break and will return with the latest eCommerce data in 2025, starting on January 9.

The entire ECDB team sends you warm holiday wishes and a happy new year!