Logistics providers must improve their e-commerce offering, says new report

TI12527th February 2013 – Europe’s e-commerce market is flourishing in the face of adversity. The sector has managed to defy continuing economic woes and the sluggish performance of overall retail sales to grow dynamically. This has provided the associated express and logistics industry with a very welcome boost, and has been a driving force behind the revenues – and profits – of many operators.

However Cathy Roberson, Ti’s Senior Analyst and author of Ti’s latest report, Europe e-commerce Logistics 2013, raised a note of caution: “Although mail, express and logistics companies are benefitting from the growth of e-commerce, to date few have developed the sophisticated services which e-retailers demand. A large proportion of logistics functions are still not out-sourced, as retailers believe that they are better positioned to undertake these operations themselves. Likewise the product range provided by carriers is very patchy – as is service quality. The industry will need to up its game, otherwise it will prove a drag on the development of internet shopping as a whole.”

According to the report, the European e-commerce logistics market was worth €39bn in 2012. Despite growth right across the region, the report points out that European countries are at different stages of online retail maturity. Currently, the United Kingdom, France and Germany comprise over 70% of total European online sales. The report provides a breakdown of the ‘e-logistics’ market size by individual countries as well as analysing the structure of these markets.

Another factor in the uneven growth of Europe’s e-commerce market is the challenge presented by cross-border trade such as language, culture, VAT fees, banking rules and other national regulations and legislation. European e-commerce Logistics 2013 highlights the key trends affecting the region’s retail market, with a particular focus on these cross-border challenges as well as the growth of m-commerce and multi-channel retailing.

Ti anticipates that the European e-commerce logistics market will grow to approximately €50bn over the next three years.

Europe e-commerce Logistics 2013 is the second report in Ti’s e-commerce series, following on from North America e-commerce Logistics. Ti will complete the series with Asia Pacific e-commerce in the first half of 2013.

About Europe e-commerce Logistics 2013

Ti’s new report Europe e-commerce Logistics 2013 provides unique analysis of the latest trends in the region’s e-commerce market; including a breakdown of the market by individual countries. The report also provides overviews of major retailers’ supply chains as well as profiles of the key logistics providers and postal services providing e-commerce solutions in Europe. For more information about the report contact Cathy Roberson: croberson@transportintelligence.com.

About Transport Intelligence

Transport Intelligence (Ti) is one of the world’s leading providers of expert research and analysis dedicated to the global logistics industry. Utilising the expertise of professionals with many years experience in the mail, express and logistics industry, Ti has developed a range of market leading web-based products, reports, profiles and services used by all the world’s leading logistics suppliers, consultancies and banks as well as many users of logistics services.

www.transportintelligence.com.

SOURCE: Submitted by Transport Intelligence

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