The DACH region, consisting of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, is considered one of the most attractive markets for e-commerce in Europe. This is due to the region’s economic stability, well-developed logistics infrastructure and widespread access to high-speed internet. For entrepreneurs, however, the cultural similarities and the high purchasing power of the population are of the greatest value. Characteristics and trends of e-commerce in the DACH region in 2024 to help your business compete successfully in this market.
The DACH region comprises around 100 million solvent inhabitants who prefer to shop online. Germany has one of the most developed economies in the world. Nevertheless, Austria and Switzerland are in no way inferior in terms of the purchasing power of their citizens. The inhabitants prefer to spend a large part of their income on online purchases. Online sales in the region are growing every year. If you look at the table below, you will understand that the DACH region is a profitable market for internet sales. The table covers all important aspects of the development of e-commerce in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Competitive advantages of the DACH region in e-commerce:
– Economic stability and high purchasing power level of residents.
– High level of internet connectivity.
– Presence of the largest global marketplaces on the market.
– Strategic location of Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the heart of Europe.
– Developed transportation infrastructure in the region.
– Growth of mobile online shopping.
– Development of electronic payment systems.
– Consumer demand for data protection.
All these factors indicate that the DACH region remains a promising market for the development of e-commerce. However, companies that want to compete successfully in this region must be prepared to adapt to local specifics, comply with laws and standards, and offer high-quality products and services. In such a favourable environment, online retailers are competing for the advantage of being the first.
Forecasts for 2024 show that the region’s residents prefer to shop on the following internet platforms:
– Amazon: A key player in e-commerce in the DACH region. Germany is the second-largest online sales market via the Amazon platform after the USA. The platform offers a wide range of products – from cloud services to groceries.
– eBay: One of the oldest and best-known auction marketplaces in the world. In the DACH region, eBay.de is a popular place to buy and sell a variety of products, including collectibles and used goods. 40% of the 50 most popular online stores in Germany sell their products via this platform.
– Zalando: The largest online retailer of clothing and shoes in the DACH region. With a wide range of products and a user-friendly returns policy, Zalando attracts many shoppers. In Germany, it is one of the best-selling online clothing stores.
– Otto: One of the best-known online retailers in Germany and the entire DACH region. It specializes in fashion, electronics and household goods. In 2022-2023, the company’s global online sales amounted to 16.19 billion euros, of which Otto generated 9 billion euros in profit from sales in Germany.
– Etsy: A popular online marketplace specializing in handmade, vintage items, unique gifts and craft products. In the DACH region, where quality and originality are valued, Etsy attracts both sellers and buyers.
As businesses continue to explore the ever-evolving digital landscape, the importance of staying on the pulse of the industry becomes more important than ever. In the DACH region, numerous e-commerce events and conferences provide dynamic platforms for professionals to learn, share and gain innovative ideas. They open windows into the future of the digital world and provide opportunities for interaction with industry leaders, trendsetters and up-and-coming start-ups. They are a meeting place for the European e-commerce industry and focus on current trends and challenges in online retail. The main directions and topics of the events and conferences include e-commerce marketing events, strategies for international trade, sustainability, direct sales and logistics solutions, solutions for omnichannel commerce, online marketing, innovations, payment systems, customer loyalty, direct sales, influencer marketing, cybersecurity, international e-commerce strategies and much more. Three important reasons to visit conferences and exhibitions:
1. The programs are developed by e-commerce industry experts and meet the needs of the professional community.
2. There is an opportunity to network with colleagues and make useful contacts that can contribute to the development of your projects.
3. All participants receive materials, checklists and other gifts from the speakers and partners of the events and conferences.
At each event, there is the opportunity to give a presentation, a guaranteed innovation boost for the trade. In addition, you will be available throughout the event to talk to retailers with an innovative mindset.
Germany – Events in the field of e-commerce 2024
| Event | Description | Date | Place | Webpage |
| OMR Festival 2024 | The OMR Festival is an annual event organized by OMR that showcases the latest trends and innovations in the industry. It brings together experts, marketers and enthusiasts for substantive discussions, inspiring talks, workshops and networking opportunities. | 07. – 08. May 2024 | Hamburg | https://omr.com/de /events/omr24/ |
| Growth Marketing Summit | As the largest digital growth and optimization conference in Europe, it brings together optimizers from around the world who share similar goals. Discuss topics that influence the digital world and listen to presentations from experts. | 19. Juny 2024г. | Frankfurt | https://www.growthmarketing summit.com/ en?utm_source=online.marketing |
| Savant E-Commerce | Flexible and convenient omnichannel channels for customers and fast delivery at low prices to win customers in a growing market. | Will be announced later | Munich | https://www.savant-events.com/ |
| White Label World Expo | Identifying opportunities such as a niche or gap in the market is crucial when considering your product category. Learn about the most popular products, latest innovations and best practices for online sales to help you grow your business. | Will be announced later | Frankfurt | https://www.whitelabel worldexpo.de/ index.asp |
| Digital Grocery Summit | Don’t miss the opportunity to network, learn and share with leading grocery retailers, brands and industry experts while securing a share of the fastest growing market in the online grocery industry. | Will be announced later | Hamburg | https://www.mydigitals helf. de/ |
| Shopware Community Day | Experience exciting content from this year’s online events “Merchant Day” and “Developer Day”. Discover valuable information, knowledge sharing and fascinating presentations from Shopware Community Day 2024 to stay ahead in the fast-changing world of e-commerce. | Will be announced later | Duisburg | https://scd.shopware.com /en-US/ |
Austria – E-Commerce Events and Conferences 2024
| Event | Description | Date | Place | Webpage |
| https://www.ecio.at/25-04-2024-preispolitik-e-commerce | Find out how the right pricing strategy can save your profit margin. Learn how you can increase your sales and, more importantly, your profits with the right price! | 25. April 2024 | Vienna | https://www.ecio.at/25-04-2024-preispolitik-e-commerce |
| E-commerce Day 2024 | E-Commerce Day 2024 at Ariane in Vienna successfully provided companies, experts and e-commerce enthusiasts an exciting platform to learn about the latest trends and developments in the industry. | 13.June 2024. | Vienna | http://e-commerce-tag%202024/ |
Switzerland – E-Commerce Events and Conferences 2024
| Event | Description | Date | Place | Webpage |
| ACCOUNT! Swiss conference on retail and e-commerce | Unlike a sales-oriented event, SCORE! – is a conference that truly lives up to its name and offers industry discussions, interviews and in-depth master classes. The conference focuses on the power of experience, providing insights and knowledge shared by industry experts for the benefit of the entire community. | 29.May 2024 | Zurich | https://score.swiss/ |
