Hermes' Review Finds Promising Opportunities for International E-Commerce Companies in Europe

CHICAGO - March 16, 2017 - PRLog -- Hermes, a leading provider of end-to-end e-commerce and omnichannel services for fashion and lifestyle brands, just completed a literature review of recent studies analyzing Europe and its e-commerce potential. Drawing from experts such as Ecommerce Europe, BMWi (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy), Asendia, BVOH (German Federal Association of eCommerce), PostNord and others, the findings signal that the European market offers solid prospects for growth for international e-commerce companies. Hermes summarizes these findings in its just issued online review titled "Market Insights: E-Commerce in Europe."

Key insights derived from Hermes' review include:
• E-commerce is critical to Europe's overall future and its retail sector in particular. Recognizing this, political leaders have identified cross-border e-commerce as a top priority and are pursuing an agenda designed to facilitate seamless activity via common standards and other definitive actions.

• Europe, with online sales totaling 455 billion euros in 2015, already is among the top three B2C e-commerce markets in the world. Projections show B2C e-commerce sales increasing to 660 billion euros by 2018.

• With 47 different countries (28 part of the European Union), the diversity of cultures actually supports rather than detracts from B2C e-commerce prospects. Factors such as a well-developed logistics network, a common currency, growing trust in online shopping, expanding use of credit cards, the desire for convenience and the appeal of foreign goods all contribute to the optimism e-retailers should feel about selling in European markets.

• Not only is demand for consumer goods rising but also internet use. Approximately 75 percent of Europe's population now uses the web, and some 43 percent have already purchased products online.

• The United Kingdom, Germany and France drive e-commerce currently. However, Eastern European countries, particularly Poland, and the Nordic countries are beginning to demonstrate a greater propensity to shop online. E-retailers targeting these markets properly stand to gain.

Uwe Bald, vice president of international business development, Hermes, says, "As an organization, Hermes has long foreseen the potential the European markets hold for companies interested in expanding retail sales internationally via online channels. This review confirms this belief in a dramatic way and offers the statistics to prove it. More important, it provides evidence of political and cultural support for B2C e-commerce, shifts in buyers' attitudes along key dimensions and promising new markets opening in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia."

Bald continues, "Hermes has successfully evolved from being a leading logistics supplier in the European market to becoming a full-service provider in global e-commerce. Our service offerings include sourcing, quality assurance, transport, delivery, fulfilment and much more. No one understands the European B2C e-commerce market like Hermes does – or the best strategies for launching and building e-commerce efforts on the continent. We stand ready to assist international retailers in successfully penetrating this burgeoning marketplace and growing their revenue."

The complete "Market Insights: E-Commerce in Europe" report can be downloaded here: https://www.hermesworld.com/us/landing-pages/market-insig...

About Hermes

Hermes provides international logistics services to the retail industry. Headquartered in Hamburg, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Otto Group. The company is a leading specialist for retail-related services and partners numerous distance sellers in Germany and internationally. The range of services provided by the twelve Hermes companies embraces the full length of the supply chain: sourcing, quality assurance, transport, fulfilment, home deliveries and two-man handling. In 2015, the Hermes Group grew consolidated revenue to 2.460 billion euros and increased the number of employees to 12,215. Hermes operates worldwide and has established country companies in the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy and Austria. For further Information, please visit: www.newsroom.hermesworld.com.