Retail and e-commerce – January 2025

Developments in retail
According to CBS, 81% of the Dutch consumers bought something online in 2024. This is the highest percentage in the past decade. Online buying rose sharply in 2020 and 2021, when people were more housebound during the corona pandemic. After a slight decline in 2022, it increased again in 2023 and 2024.
Ecommerce Europe has published a BEA report (1.49 MB) entitled ‘PASSPORT 2024 of the e-commerce industry in Bulgaria’. In 2024, B2C sales on the Internet saw a 20% growth and exceeded €2.34 billion, accounting for 2.34% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
ING (in Dutch) expects Dutch retail sales to grow 3.5% in 2025. Due to improved purchasing power and ‘getting used to’ higher prices, consumers will spend more on the high street than last year. However, retailers need to invest in sustainability and technology in the coming years to stay future-proof.

E-commerce and online shopping
Ecommerce Europe has published a report (2.10 MB) by the Polish Chamber of Digital Economy. According to the report, awareness of ecological and ethical aspects in online shopping continues to grow despite challenging market conditions. Consumers are looking to e-businesses for guidance and support in making sustainable choices.
A WHU study (2.22 MB) entitled ‘Advancing sustainability in e-commerce packaging: A simulation-based study for managing returnable transport items’, has been published in Transportation Research Part E. The case study reveals that reusing packaging and balancing its inventory across the network, even with packaging materials designed for single use, coupled with harmonising packaging solutions, may produce substantial financial and ecological benefits.

Toxic chemicals in packaging
A new report released by Toxic-Free Future reveals that most of the largest retailers in the United States and Canada are failing to protect customers from toxic chemicals and harmful plastics found in the products and packaging sold on store shelves. With PFAS in the drinking water and toxics found in black plastic spatulas, Toxic-Free Future finds it shocking how little retailers are doing to help solve this.

The future of shopping
On 13 December 2024, Dagmar Tjalsma held a presentation entitled ‘The Supermarket of the Future: a Case Study on the Transition towards Sustainable Packaging’ as part of her master assignment at the University of Twente. Her study (6.07 MB) concludes that the food packaging industry should strive for sustainable packaging to prevent food waste, focussing on the functions of packaging rather than the packaging as an entity itself.
Crownpeak has shared a report, based on a global survey of over 200 retailers, providing insights into the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of online shopping. You can download the after filling in your details.
Liaoning Technical University has published a study (616 kB) entitled ‘Decision-Making for Packaging Consolidation of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Orders with Multi-Warehouse in One Location’. A study (932 kB) by the University of Vaasa entitled ‘Factors associated with Finnish, German and UK consumers' intentions to test, buy and recommend reusable fast-moving consumer goods packaging’ has been published in Sustainable Production and Consumption.
 

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