Insights & News

TikTok Shop to launch in Poland on June 15, 2026

TikTok Shop will officially launch in Poland on June 15, 2026. The feature will allow users to buy products from brands, sellers and creators directly inside the TikTok app, without being redirected to external stores. TikTok expands social commerce in Europe Poland will be one of the next European markets […]

InPost introduces a suitcase designed for parcel lockers

InPost is taking its parcel locker network into a new category: travel. The company has presented Parcel Suitcase, a suitcase designed specifically to fit into InPost parcel lockers and make it easier to send luggage between Poland and selected European countries. A suitcase made for InPost lockers Parcel Suitcase was […]

Google’s Universal Cart Points to the Next Phase of AI Shopping

Google is moving deeper into agentic commerce with a new Universal Cart designed to make online shopping more connected, automated and personalized. The feature, introduced around Google I/O, builds on Shopify’s Universal Commerce Protocol and shows how AI could soon play a much larger role in the way consumers discover […]

Otto Opens Marketplace to Polish Sellers

Otto is expanding its marketplace to Poland, giving local ecommerce businesses a new opportunity to sell in Germany. The company will launch a pilot program next month with selected Polish sellers, marking the second international expansion of the platform after the Netherlands. Otto Continues International Marketplace Expansion The move follows […]

Blackstone takes majority stake in Greek ecommerce leader Skroutz

Blackstone is expanding its presence in European ecommerce with the acquisition of a majority stake in Greek marketplace Skroutz. The investment firm is buying the shares from CVC Capital Partners, while the company’s founders will remain involved and continue to lead the business. Deal values Skroutz at €635 million According […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — May 15, 2026

Marketplace Platforms: Target Competes with Walmart & Amazon Target Revamps Baby Category to Attract Families Target is focusing on improving its baby product offerings and overall convenience to better compete with Walmart and Amazon for busy families. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to enhance product quality and […]

Germany: Customs ramps up checks as non-EU parcel imports hit record levels

Germany’s customs authority handled a record volume of goods in 2025, driven largely by the rapid growth of ecommerce parcels arriving from third countries. The latest annual report shows that this surge is now leading to tighter controls on imported goods. Ecommerce parcels push customs workload higher The General Directorate […]

Allegro teams up with OpenAI to boost ecommerce AI

Allegro has announced a partnership with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. The Polish marketplace will use OpenAI’s technology and expertise to develop new AI-powered tools for its platform, with a focus on making shopping easier and helping sellers improve performance. New AI tools for buyers and sellers Allegro has already […]

Etsy Tops Revenue Forecasts as Buyers Keep Spending

Etsy delivered stronger-than-expected first-quarter revenue, helped by steady activity on its marketplace and a rise in spending per buyer. The results suggest the platform is still attracting shoppers despite pressure on household budgets from inflation and tariff-related concerns. Affordable Products Help Etsy Stay Resilient The marketplace has benefited from demand […]

Nordic shoppers turn to local payment methods online

Local payment options are becoming the first choice for ecommerce shoppers in the Nordics. According to PostNord’s latest E-commerce in the Nordics Spring 2026 report, 86 percent of consumers in the region bought something online in the month before the survey. Local payment apps overtake cards PostNord surveyed 4,000 consumers […]

Amazon Expands in Brandenburg With One Clear Goal: Shorter Delivery Routes to Customers

Amazon is strengthening its logistics footprint in Brandenburg with two new parcel distribution centers set to open in 2026. The investment is part of a wider strategy aimed at shortening delivery routes, increasing network efficiency and meeting growing expectations around delivery speed in Germany’s highly competitive ecommerce market. New facility […]

UPS introduces temporary surge fees on US shipments

UPS has rolled out a new “Surge Emergency Fee” affecting a broad range of import and export shipments to and from the United States. The surcharge came into effect on April 19 and will remain in place until further notice. New fees across global services The carrier is applying a […]

Vinted expands cross-border trading: Germany and Austria now connected

Vinted is continuing its push to build a truly pan-European second-hand marketplace. The platform has now linked its German and Austrian markets, allowing users in both countries to buy and sell directly with one another. A natural match between two markets According to the company, bringing Germany and Austria together […]

TikTok Shop in Germany: How It Is Shaping Ecommerce After One Year – Update

TikTok Shop has quickly moved from a new feature to a growing ecommerce channel in Germany. Launched in March 2025, the platform combines social media content with direct purchasing, allowing users to discover and buy products without leaving the app. How TikTok Shop Works in Germany TikTok Shop integrates shopping […]

Online marketplaces tighten their grip on Europe’s ecommerce landscape

Marketplace share keeps rising in Europe Marketplaces are becoming the dominant force in European ecommerce, steadily increasing their share of total online sales. Recent data from ECDB shows that in 2025, these platforms were responsible for roughly 61 percent of the region’s gross merchandise value (GMV), highlighting a continued shift […]

Zalando prepares for Bulgaria launch as expansion continues

Zalando is continuing its rollout across Europe. Following recent launches in Portugal and Greece, the company is now preparing to enter Bulgaria. The move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the region, with further expansion likely. Earlier this year, Zalando confirmed plans to add three […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — April 17, 2026

Marketplace Platforms: Amazon’s Dominance, TikTok’s Expansion, and Digitec Galaxus’ Growth Amazon Remains the Undisputed Leader in the US Marketplace Landscape A recent US market analysis confirms Amazon’s continued dominance in the online marketplace arena. While Amazon maintains its leading position, other platforms are vying for market share, indicating a competitive […]

TikTok Shop moves closer to launch in Poland and Benelux markets

TikTok is accelerating its ecommerce expansion in Europe, with strong signals that TikTok Shop is about to enter Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium. The platform is not live yet in these markets, but multiple indicators suggest that preparations are already in an advanced stage. Hiring points to upcoming rollout Recent […]

Amazon to introduce per-item billing for FBA removals and disposals

Amazon is changing how sellers are charged for FBA removal and disposal orders, moving from a single consolidated fee to a per-unit billing model. Shift to per-unit charges changes billing timing From May 1, removal and disposal fees will be applied to each individual unit at the time it is […]

Breuninger expands marketplace model to the Netherlands after localization push

Breuninger has launched its marketplace model in the Netherlands following a localization rollout, continuing its European expansion strategy with a focus on scalable platform growth and partner integration. Breuninger is extending its digital marketplace model to the Netherlands, marking another step in its international growth plans. After establishing the model […]

New Amazon FBA surcharge increases cost pressure for sellers

Amazon is introducing a new wave of logistics surcharges across Europe and North America. From April 17, 2026, sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon will pay an additional fuel and logistics fee on top of fulfillment costs. The rate is set at 3.5% in the US and Canada and 1.5% in […]

TikTok Shop grows in Germany after first year

One year after its launch in Germany, TikTok Shop is gaining momentum. New data from NielsenIQ shows a steady increase in users, purchase frequency and average order values. The platform now ranks 15th among online retailers tracked by NIQ. User adoption continues to rise TikTok Shop has expanded its reach […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — March 30, 2026

Marketplace Platforms: Expansion, Growth, and Shifts Otto.de Opens to Dutch Sellers, Eyes European Expansion Otto.de is now accepting applications from Dutch sellers, marking the beginning of its expansion to marketplace partners from other European countries. Accepted sellers must provide customer service in German. This move comes five years after Otto […]

EU Moves to Curb Ultra-Cheap Imports From Temu and AliExpress

The European Union is preparing new rules that could reshape how consumers in Europe shop on platforms like Temu and AliExpress. Although the planned fee per parcel is expected to be relatively small, its overall impact on cross-border ecommerce may be far-reaching. The proposal is part of a broader effort […]

Otto.de opens marketplace access to Dutch sellers

Otto.de has started allowing Dutch businesses to apply as marketplace sellers, opening the door to partners from outside Germany. The move marks the first step in Otto’s broader push to attract merchants from other European countries. Dutch businesses can now apply directly Until now, selling on Otto.de required a German […]

Amazon to invest over 5 billion euros more in Poland

Amazon is preparing a fresh round of investments in Poland, with more than 5 billion euros set aside for the period from 2026 to 2028. The announcement follows the company’s earlier spending in the country, which it says exceeded 10 billion euros between 2012 and 2025. Poland continues to gain […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — March 13, 2026

Marketplace Platforms: Zalando’s Acquisition & Amazon’s Expanded Services Zalando Acquires About You, Eyes €20 Billion GMV in 2026 Zalando announced it financed the acquisition of About You entirely from its operating cash flow. Following the acquisition, Zalando projects a Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) of €20 billion in 2026, with aims […]

Refurbed expands into new European markets

The European recommerce sector is gaining momentum as Austrian marketplace Refurbed reports a major milestone: more than €3 billion in cumulative gross merchandise volume (GMV). Alongside the announcement, the company confirmed plans to significantly expand its presence across Europe. Founded in Vienna in 2017 by Peter Windischhofer, Kilian Kaminski, and […]

AI becomes a key driver of online shopping: 7 in 10 consumers want AI support during purchases

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a central element of the online shopping experience. According to recent market insights, around 70% of consumers expect AI-powered tools to support them throughout the purchasing journey, from product discovery to checkout. What was once considered an advanced technology used only by large companies is […]

Amazon introduces Seller Wallet for European marketplace sellers

Amazon has rolled out a new financial management feature for sellers operating in Europe. The company has launched Amazon Seller Wallet across several European marketplaces, giving merchants more flexibility in managing earnings, transferring funds, and handling multiple currencies. The tool is designed to simplify how sellers access and move their […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — February 27, 2026

Marketplace Platforms: Acquisitions, Growth, and Dominance Amazon Achieves Record Revenue, Becomes World’s Largest Company Amazon has reported record revenues, surpassing Walmart to become the world’s largest company by revenue. This growth is fueled by its e-commerce operations and cloud computing division, solidifying its position as a dominant force in the […]

TikTok Shop Launches Amazon Integration to Simplify Listings and Fulfillment

TikTok Shop is making it significantly easier for brands to expand into social commerce. With a new Amazon integration, sellers can now import product listings directly from Amazon using just a product URL — while TikTok tightens control over fulfillment to streamline delivery standards. Amazon Listings Imported in Minutes The […]

eBay Tests AI-Powered Messaging Assistant for Sellers

eBay is rolling out a new AI-based messaging assistant designed to help sellers respond faster to buyer inquiries. The feature, currently being tested as an optional tool, generates suggested replies to common customer questions — while keeping full control in the hands of merchants. AI-Generated Reply Suggestions Based on Listing […]

EU Approves New €3 Customs Charge on Low-Value Imports

The European Union is tightening its approach to low-value ecommerce imports. The Council of the European Union has signed off on new customs rules that will end the long-standing exemption for parcels worth up to €150. From July 1, small shipments entering the EU will be subject to a flat […]

Allegro and Meta partner to expand second-hand listings via Facebook Marketplace

Allegro has announced a new partnership with Meta aimed at increasing the visibility of second-hand products sold by private individuals online. As part of the collaboration, selected listings from Allegro Lokalnie can now be additionally displayed on Facebook Marketplace. The feature is currently in a testing phase and remains free […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — February 13, 2026

Marketplace Platforms: Growth, Acquisitions, and Legal Challenges Ceconomy’s Online Marketplace Drives Revenue Growth MediaMarkt and Saturn’s parent company, Ceconomy, reported its twelfth consecutive quarter of revenue growth, fueled by online sales and the expansion of its marketplace. The company’s online revenue share now exceeds 30%, with increasing investment in retail […]

FedEx Gains Access To One Of The Europe’s Most Advanced Parcel-locker Networks

One of Poland’s largest logistics and ecommerce delivery companies, InPost, is entering a new phase after being acquired by a consortium of international investors in a deal valued at around €7.8 billion. The buyer group includes FedEx, Advent International, PPF Group and A&R Investments, the investment vehicle of InPost founder […]

Online Retailers Must Introduce Mandatory “Withdrawal Function” by June 2026

The European Union has introduced new rules strengthening consumer protection in ecommerce, requiring online retailers to implement a mandatory electronic “withdrawal button.” The measure forms part of the implementation of Directive (EU) 2023/2673 and will soon require businesses selling online within the EU to enable customers to withdraw from contracts […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — February 6, 2026

Marketplace Platforms: Amazon, eBay, and Fast Fashion Consolidation Amazon Overtakes Walmart in Sales, German Authority Bans Price Controls In 2025, Amazon’s sales reached $717 billion, surpassing Walmart’s $715 billion. Amazon’s marketplace sales grew to $269 billion (+9%). Separately, Germany’s competition authority has prohibited Amazon from influencing third-party seller pricing on […]

Court Order Forces Allegro to Rethink Delivery Display

A court ruling in Poland could reshape how delivery options are presented on one of Central and Eastern Europe’s largest ecommerce platforms. The District Court in Warsaw has issued an interim order requiring Allegro to change the way it shows shipping methods during checkout, particularly for offers covered by its […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — January 30, 2026

Marketplace Expansion, Innovation, and Financial Moves Wolt Evolves into Local Marketplace with Enhanced Advertising Delivery app Wolt is repositioning itself as a local marketplace, rolling out a major app update focused on maximizing advertising potential for businesses. This move signals a shift towards becoming a comprehensive local commerce platform, potentially […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — January 16, 2026

Marketplace Updates: eBay Fees, Amazon Reviews, and European Alternatives eBay Increases Fees for Sellers eBay is increasing its marketplace fees starting in mid-February 2026, impacting sellers with higher sales commissions. This change could affect profitability for cross-border e-commerce businesses relying on the platform. Sellers should review their pricing strategies to […]

Euro Switch Puts Bulgaria on the Radar of Online Sellers

Bulgaria’s move to the euro at the start of 2026 could mark a turning point for its digital commerce sector. By adopting the common European currency, the country has removed a long-standing obstacle for foreign online stores: currency exchange. For international sellers, this change lowers complexity and makes entering the […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — January 9, 2026

Marketplace Platforms: Growth, Fees, and Risks Galaxus Continues Expansion, Eyes Marketplace Strategy Galaxus saw substantial growth in 2025, reaching €4 billion in sales, a 17% increase. Sales outside of Switzerland also grew by 14%, reaching €418 million. This growth underscores the potential of Galaxus’ marketplace strategy and its increasing international […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — December 19, 2025

Social Commerce: Instagram Shops & GenAI’s Impact Instagram Shops: Key Success Factors Explored A new analysis from E-Commerce Institute Cologne highlights the key success factors and challenges for brands using Instagram Shops as a sales channel. With over a billion users and a visually-driven platform, Instagram offers significant opportunities for […]

From Discovery To Checkout: How Marketplaces Now Own The UK Buying Journey

When UK consumers plan to spend more than 90 euros online, they rarely start with a brand website or a physical store. They go straight to online marketplaces. New research from Akeneo shows that marketplaces lead high-value purchase decisions in the United Kingdom, outperforming both retail stores and standalone ecommerce […]

France E-commerce: Is a Shein Website Suspension in France Still on the Table?

French authorities have withdrawn their request for a full temporary shutdown of Shein’s website in France, opting instead to push for stricter controls and legal compliance measures. The move follows concerns over illegal products previously found on the fast-fashion platform, including banned weapons and sexually explicit items deemed inappropriate for […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — December 12, 2025

Marketplace Platforms: Funding, Fees, and Shifting Market Share Meesho and WeSports Go Public Indian marketplace Meesho and the WeSports Group have successfully launched their IPOs, raising $600 million and $47 million respectively. This comes during a period of limited IPO activity, excluding China, and follows the public offerings of Pattern […]

Amazon Fee Cuts Ahead: Better Margins for European Sellers in 2026

Amazon has announced one of its largest European fee reductions to date, aiming to strengthen its partnership with the hundreds of thousands of independent sellers powering its marketplace. Today, over 60% of all Amazon orders in Europe come from third-party sellers — mostly SMBs — who together list billions of […]

OTTO Defies Market Expectations with New Black Friday Records in Germany

German e-commerce giant OTTO has reported another round of record-breaking results for its Black Friday promotion period, outperforming both industry forecasts and its own historic highs from 2024. Across the two-week campaign window from November 18 to December 1, OTTO achieved a 2.5% year-over-year increase in order value. The biggest […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — December 5, 2025

Marketplace Platforms: Amazon Fee Changes, MENA Expansion Paribu Acquires CoinMENA for $240 Million, Marking Türkiye’s Crypto Expansion Türkiye’s Paribu has acquired CoinMENA, the largest crypto asset trading platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), for approximately $240 million. This marks Türkiye’s largest fintech acquisition to date and its […]

AI: OpenAI expands ecommerce push with ChatGPT Shopping Research

OpenAI has introduced a new feature called Shopping Research directly inside ChatGPT, aiming to support users in making more informed purchase decisions. Instead of offering simple answers on prices or product features, the tool delivers personalized buyer’s guides that compare multiple items, highlight differences and trade-offs, and source updated product […]

AI Powers Record-Breaking Black Friday 2025: $11.8B Spent Online in the U.S.

Black Friday remains the global e-commerce compass — and this year, the U.S. results show just how powerful that compas still is. On 28 November 2025, U.S. shoppers spent a whopping $11.8 billion online — the highest total ever recorded for a Black Friday and a 9.1% increase year-over-year. In […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — November 28, 2025

Marketplace Platforms: Expansion, IPO Plans, and Operational Challenges Meesho Eyes IPO as Indian E-commerce Surges Indian e-commerce platform Meesho, positioning itself as a budget-friendly alternative to Amazon India and Walmart’s Flipkart, is planning an IPO. Boasting 213 million customers and over 2 billion annual orders, Meesho’s potential IPO reflects the […]

Allegro expands its reach with 4.2M international buyers onboard

Allegro keeps proving that its marketplace model works far beyond its home country. The company is seeing strong demand from buyers abroad — 4.2 million international customers shopped on its platforms last quarter, marking a major jump compared to a year ago. International turnover is also rising fast, even if […]

Amazon Becomes Belgium’s Second-Largest Online Retailer

Amazon has quickly strengthened its foothold in Belgium, becoming the country’s second-largest online retailer only three years after debuting its dedicated Belgian storefront. The company is now preparing a major investment push aimed at expanding delivery capabilities and boosting its local presence. Belgian Logistics Hub Ready for Growth Amazon recently […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — November 21, 2025

Marketplace Platforms: Live Shopping, Amazon in Belgium, and Counterfeit Prevention eBay Launches Live Shopping in Germany eBay has launched live shopping events in Germany, marking a significant step in the evolution of e-commerce in the region. This move reflects the growing importance of real-time interaction and video commerce in online […]

EU to End €150 Customs Exemption on Low-Value Imports

EU economy ministers have agreed to remove the €150 customs duty exemption on low-value parcels entering the Union, a decision that will significantly affect the cross-border shipping model used by platforms such as Shein and Temu. The move is part of a broader effort to modernise the EU’s customs framework […]

Amazon Launches Free Express Shipping Upgrade for Marketplace Sellers

Amazon has quietly rolled out a new logistics initiative designed to speed up cross-border deliveries for merchants who fulfill orders themselves. The program, called FBM Ship+, enables sellers—particularly those shipping from Asia—to offer faster delivery times to customers across Europe without paying extra shipping fees. FBM Ship+ is currently available […]

Consumer Trends & Logistics: Black Friday is Dead, Long Live Temu, and Robots Take Over Delivery!

Black Friday is Changing (and Temu is Taking Over) Forget the chaos of a single Black Friday rush. New exclusive research from the PwC Hungary e-commerce team shows that the shopping frenzy now lasts for weeks, stretching from late October into early December. What the data tells us: • Big […]

What’s New in Commerce? — November 10, 2025

Logistics And Delivery: Carrier Updates DPD Announces Christmas Shipping Deadlines DPD has announced its shipping deadlines for the upcoming Christmas season. E-commerce businesses should take note of these dates to ensure timely delivery of orders during the peak holiday period. Planning logistics around these deadlines is crucial for maintaining customer […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — November 7, 2025

Marketplace Platforms: Shein & Temu Face Scrutiny, eBay Adjusts Ad Structure Shein and Temu’s German Sales Reach €3.3 Billion Amidst Controversy Shein and Temu’s combined sales in Germany are estimated at €3.3 billion, with one in five German consumers planning to purchase from these platforms before Christmas. However, both platforms […]

What’s New in E-commerce? — November 6, 2025

Marketplace Platforms: Mytheresa Divests The Outnet, European Marketplaces Dominate E-commerce Mytheresa Sells Off-Price Business The Outnet Mytheresa is selling its off-price business, The Outnet, to the Timeless Group and Icon Luxury Group for $30 million. The Outnet, which generates $260 million in revenue, will be managed by The O Group, […]

Polish E-commerce: Insights From 2025 Show Shoppers Going Global And Mobile

Taxation and Invoicing: EuroCommerce Calls for an EU-Wide Parcel Tax to Keep the Single Market Intact

Marketplace platforms: PayPal increases stake in Shopware

Nordic E-commerce: Over 80% Shop Monthly and 73% Buy Across Borders

Parcel Lockers in Europe 2025: Adoption, Growth, and E-commerce Impact

InPost Growth Slows in Poland Amid Legal Dispute with AllegroNews