European Compendium dedicated to the Cross-Border E-Commerce model in the “NEXT new normal” across Europe

Cross-Border Commerce Europe launches the third edition of a European Compendium dedicated to the Cross-Border E-Commerce model in the “NEXT new normal” across Europe. A collection of seven annual blue paper reports compiled by 70 leading EU C-Level retail executives.

Brussels – November 23th, 2023. Cross-Border Commerce Europe, the platform that drives cross-border e-commerce in Europe, launches a compendium that maps how Cross-Border e-Commerce will be defined in the NEXT new normal across Europe over the year to come. A collection of seven annual Blue Paper reports on strategic topics like Customer Centricity, Green Supply Chain, Marketplaces and Sustainability but also channel related fields such as Brands Direct-to-Consumer, Omnichannel and Scale-Ups. A Compendium carried out by 70 C-Level Retail executives under the auspices of CBCommerce with support from APG, Checkout.com, FedEx Express and Hurricane.

This year, inflation and the slowdown of consumption have major implications for the retail sector. Rapid adaptation by the latter is needed to integrate change and return to the ‘new normal’.

CBCommerceNEXT Compendium is the result of six round table brainstorming sessions gathering ten International C-Level Retail executives in each High-Level Group.  Representing all sectors and EU countries, they are guided by a chairman having an academic and consulting experience background. All executives are highly reputed experts. Those seven High Level Groups gathered during the whole year 2023 to define the ‘NEXT new normal’ across Europe regarding:

• Brands Direct-to-Consumer
• Customer Centricity
• Green Supply Chain
• Marketplaces
• Omnichannel
• Scale-Ups
• Sustainability

A 20-page Blue Paper compiled by each High-Level Group summarises the learnings and recommendations bringing insights and best practices cases to stimulate radical innovation and tangible action in the European e-commerce industry. The views expressed by each retail executive are their own take-aways and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of their companies.

You will find hereunder some initial learnings wrapped up by each Chairman:

Direct-to-Consumer activity will become the most important channel for many European brands by 2025.

“The key to reducing channel conflict is channelisation: recognising that customers are different on each channel. This means providing an experience that connects with a community of shoppers so that one channel no longer competes with another. This includes differentiating between product selection, pricing, communication, logistics and payments” says chairman Oliver Lucas.

Becoming a customer-centric company is an ongoing effort to align culture, organisation, processes and technology.

“This year, we dedicate our Blue Paper efforts on two core topics impacting customer centricity: management of the voice of the customer (VoC) and building compelling employee experiences. They are both of high relevance as organisations have inconsistent ways to democratize the VoC, especially only a small subset implements VoC management with a clear ownerwhip in the organization” said chairman Siegfried Schallenmueller.

Transport accounts for ca. 20% of global CO2 emissions and 24% of freight vehicles in the EU are running empty. A Green Supply Chain strategy is needed.

“This year, we have explored logistics horizontal collaboration which is less known but powerful innovation to increase supply chain efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability. The case Imperial Brands and Love Honey Group illustrates this assessment in the Blue Paper” confirmed chairmen Sven Verstrepen and Roel Gevaers.

Brands and retailers develop their own Marketplace. To succeed with this new strategy, clear priorities need to be set up.  

“Launching your own cross-border marketplace will create additional revenue streams and increase overall platform conversion. The success depends on very important factors like a high conversion rate and a payment method offer adapted to each country. This Blue Paper report deep dive into those key parameters”, declared Chairman Prof. Dr. Christian Stummeyer.

Channel integration remains a major challenge for traditional retailers. In this current inflationist context, it is crucial to attract the omnichannel customers.

“In this Blue Paper report, we consider several omnichannel strategies based on best practice European cases like Carrefour, IKKS, Mango and Lolaliza. How to implement the best way Click & Collect, Store2Web, Ship from Store, e-reservation, BoPo and many other action plans  discovering the high value of the omnichannel customer” confirms chairwoman Claire Gruslin.

All Scale-Ups that are highly successful in their home market plan to continue their growth by entering new markets within the European Union.

“Understanding the different markets and knowing the challenges beforehand helps create a better basis for decisions to enter the market successfully at the first attempt. Preparing for internationalisation makes localisation easier” concludes chairman Ulrich Seldeslachts.

Sustainability. In 2024, companies will have to comply with the next regulatory European framework which includes 14 indicators to assess their environmental impact and products.

“As the EU is putting strict legislation in place to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, companies will be required to step up or to be penalised. We need a strong harmonisation and simplification of sustainability regulation and rules at European level for all Retail players”, confirmed Chairwoman Valérie Tiersen.

“I would like to thank our 70 International Retail C-Level executives’ members, Chairmen and Chairwomen as well as our Knowledge Partners APG, Checkout.com, FedEx Express and Hurricane who put all their energy behind this eagerly awaited CBCommerceNEXT Compendium. It acts as an inspirational document gathering the best strategies and best European practices cases defining the NEXT for the entire sector”, concludes Carine Moitier, the founder of CBCommerce.eu.

Press coverage

Benelux

Fashion United
Cross-Border Commerce Europe geeft tips om retailers klaar te stomen voor het ‘nieuwe normaal’
https://fashionunited.be/nieuws/business/cross-border-commerce-europe-geeft-tips-om-retailers-klaar-te-stomen-voor-het-nieuwe-normaal/2023112440257
https://fashionunited.nl/nieuws/business/cross-border-commerce-europe-geeft-tips-om-retailers-klaar-te-stomen-voor-het-nieuwe-normaal/2023112459201

Pub
CROSS-BORDER COMMERCE EUROPE LANCE LA TROISIÈME ÉDITION DU COMPENDIUM EUROPÉEN
https://pub.be/fr/cross-border-commerce-europe-lance-la-troisieme-edition-du-compendium-europeen/

Emerce
Cross-Border Commerce Europe lanceert de derde editie van een Europees Compendium
https://www.emerce.nl/wire/crossborder-commerce-europe-lanceert-derde-editie-europees-compendium

DACH

iBusiness
Luxusmarkt ignoriert Kriege und Inflation
https://www.ibusiness.de/aktuell/db/330954jg.html

International

DSB
亚马逊赌对了，欧洲二手电商规模已超13亿美元
https://www.dsb.cn/233699.html
黑五全球热卖，速卖通获评西班牙最佳电商平台
https://www.dsb.cn/233428.html

Fibre2Fashion
D2C to be key channel for many European brands by 2025: CBCommerceEU
https://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/e-commerce-retail/d2c-to-be-key-channel-for-many-european-brands-by-2025-cbcommerceeu-291567-newsdetails.htm

Fashion United
Cross-Border Commerce Europe provides tips to prepare retailers for the ‘new normal’
https://fashionunited.com/news/business/cross-border-commerce-europe-provides-tips-to-prepare-retailers-for-the-new-normal/2023112457015

Lupa
Křišťálová Lupa 2023: Osobností roku je umělá inteligence. Třikrát bodoval Těhotnej kuchař
https://www.lupa.cz/clanky/kristalova-lupa-2023-osobnosti-roku-je-umela-inteligence-trikrat-bodoval-tehotnej-kuchar/

Classe Export
Le marché de la mode et de la beauté en ligne en pleine expansion !
https://classe-export.com/index.php/stats/76571-le-marche-de-de-la-mode-et-de-la-beaute-en-ligne-en-pleine-expansion/