Ecommerce Briefs from Europe: Growth, Acquisitions, Amazon, Delivery
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“Ecommerce Briefs” is my occasional sequence on information and developments that influence on-line retailers. On this installment, I’ll give attention to happenings in Europe.
Progress in European Ecommerce
Ecommerce in Europe has grown dramatically because the onset of the pandemic. In response to the “2021 European E-commerce Report” (PDF) from Amsterdam College of Utilized Sciences, lockdowns contributed to the elevated use of digital applied sciences, notably on-line shopping for in nations that beforehand had low ranges of ecommerce.
Aggregator Seems to Increase
Based in March of this 12 months, ecommerce aggregator Opontia is pursuing acquisitions of small ecommerce corporations in Japanese and Central Europe, particularly Poland and Turkey. Japanese Europe has the bottom penetration of ecommerce customers in Europe and presents a progress alternative, particularly with Covid-19 proscribing in-store procuring.
In contrast to other aggregators that focus solely on Amazon sellers, Opontia prefers retailers that promote throughout a number of channels — marketplaces, branded web sites, and extra. Japanese Europe has the bottom penetration of ecommerce customers in Europe and presents a progress alternative, particularly with Covid-19 proscribing in-store procuring.
Primarily based in Dubai, with satellite tv for pc workplaces in Warsaw and Istanbul, Opontia additionally intends to purchase ecommerce companies in Africa and the Center East. The corporate just lately accomplished a $42 million Sequence A spherical of funding and goals to accumulate 20 manufacturers within the subsequent six months.
Italian Regulator Fines Amazon
The Italian Competitors Authority (AGCM), a quasi-governmental regulator, final week fined Amazon a file €1.3 billion. In response to AGCM, Amazon abused its market dominance, harming rivals. AGCM alleges Amazon sellers that deal with their very own success don’t obtain sure advantages, comparable to elevated visibility on the positioning and entry to the Prime label.
The regulator ordered Amazon to develop the advantages and visibility on its Italian market loved by Achievement by Amazon clients to all third-party sellers that meet sure requirements. Amazon is interesting the choice. In November, AGCM fined Amazon €68.7 million for violating E.U. legal guidelines by way of restrictions that penalized sellers of Apple merchandise.
Supply Begin-ups
Europe has seen a increase in same-day (and same-hour) grocery supply.
- Frankfurt-based delivery company Grovy, based in 2020, just lately closed a €3 million financing spherical to develop into Central and Japanese Europe, with workplaces already working in Prague and Bucharest. Grovy claims a 15-minute supply timeframe and fosters sustainability — utilizing solely bikes and electrical autos for deliveries — and supplies reductions on soon-to-expire produce and perishables. It additionally solely hires full-time workers — 250 of them — in contrast to different supply companies that depend on gig employees.
- Prague-based grocery supply agency Rohlik Group just lately raised €100 million in Sequence C funding, bringing the corporate’s complete valuation to $1 billion — unicorn standing. Rohlik’s income exceeded €300 million in 2020. The corporate operates in Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic, serving 750,000 clients, with plans to develop into Germany. Based in 2014, Rohlik provides deliveries inside two hours.
- In October, Gorillas, a Berlin-based grocery supply unicorn, raised about €860 million in Sequence C funding. Since its founding in June 2020, Gorillas has grown to over 180 warehouses in eight European markets plus the U.S., delivering over 4.5 million orders previously six months. The corporate has roughly 11,000 workers.
- The success of grocery supply in Europe has caught the eye of Amazon. Throughout the previous 12 months, Amazon has operated an Instacart-like supply enterprise within the U.Ok. Prime subscribers can order groceries from two main U.Ok. shops — Morrisons and Co-op — with same-day supply fulfilled by Amazon Flex drivers.
On-line publication The Data reported that Amazon plans to develop on-line grocery ordering and supply all through Europe and the U.S. in 2022.
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