BeCommerce: ‘Belgian ecommerce wants help’

Final 12 months, Belgian commerce affiliation BeCommerce launched a undertaking referred to as Ezyshop. A minimum of 2,140 firms signed as much as obtain particular person teaching periods. In response to the group, Belgian retailers want further help and the federal government ought to assist.

Mission Ezyshop

Ezyshop was launched final 12 months by BeCommerce, Bol.com and Mastercard to assist Belgian SME’s take their first steps on-line. Firms on the lookout for further assist to professionalize their on-line retailer might apply. Many purposes got here from companies that needed to shut their bodily shops throughout lockdowns.

A minimum of 13 p.c of the businesses that utilized function within the sector ‘Well being and Magnificence’ and 10 p.c function in ‘Meals and Drink’. “The net food- and drink sector has change into extra fashionable because the pandemic”, says Sofie Geeroms, managing director at BeCommerce.

‘Companies adopted client conduct and tailored to it.’

“Shoppers purchased 55 p.c extra provisions on-line in 2021 than a 12 months earlier than. This 12 months, that’s anticipated to develop with 15 p.c extra. We expect it’s a good signal that new ecommerce companies know the wants of the market this nicely. They’ve adopted client conduct and tailored to it. Even massive retailers do that, simply have a look at the brand new supply service of grocery store chain Delhaize.”

2,140 registrations for undertaking

In response to the founders, a complete of two,140 firms have already signed up for the undertaking. Registration is feasible till the top of November this 12 months. In response to Geeroms, the nice curiosity exhibits that there’s a demand for professionalization.

‘In 2021, 5,985 new on-line shops had been launched in Belgium.’

Earlier analysis confirmed that 5,985 new on-line shops had been launched in Belgium in 2021. It is a progress of 13 p.c. The variety of Belgian gross sales companions on Bol.com has additionally greater than doubled in two years from 2,600 to five,400. “Entrepreneurs can all the time use an additional push, particularly after the extreme COVID-19 disaster and in these financially troublesome instances”, says Oscar Hundman, director of ecommerce at Bol.com.

“We consider within the energy of collaboration. We see {that a} platform usually enhances different gross sales channels, equivalent to their very own on-line retailer or a bodily retailer. Ezyshop is subsequently a significant undertaking and a pleasant addition to the recommendation and insights that we already share with entrepreneurs. The digitization of the retail sector is now not a plan for the distant future, however the actuality of right this moment.”

Authorities should take accountability

“Small firms wish to embrace ecommerce with open arms, however want that further monetary help to take the step. Now we have to attend for the federal government to take up its accountability on this,” mentioned Geeroms.