Retail and e-commerce – September 2025

Dutch retail developments
ING Research (in Dutch) expects Dutch retail sales to grow by 4% in 2025, with all segments contributing to this increase. Although purchasing power is improving, consumers remain cautious about their spending in high streets. This is partly due to ongoing economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and still relatively high inflation. For example, the prices of everyday groceries in supermarkets are expected to rise by an average of around 4% this year. Consumers therefore remain price-conscious when shopping. ING transaction data shows that discounters are doing good business, both in the food and non-food segments. Online sales are also continuing to gain market share at the expense of physical shops. In order to remain competitive, retailers will have no choice but to invest in technology and customer-focused service in the coming years.

Reusable or single-use beverage packaging
A study (6 MB) by the University of British Columbia entitled ’Is reusable beverage packaging better than single–use plastic?’ is published in the journal Sustainable Futures. The findings show that reusable systems, particularly PP cups, yield the lowest impacts on the environment. In contrast, single–use PET options, especially those without recycled content, generate the highest emissions, though incorporating recycled materials significantly mitigates these impacts. Using Monte Carlo simulation with ±15 % variability in return rates, the researchers confirm that reuse systems maintain environmental superiority despite behavioural uncertainty. These results highlight an urgent need to invest in reuse infrastructure, which remains underdeveloped despite growing global attention.

Key figures for e-commerce in France
Ecommerce Europe has published an article on the 2025 edition of the Fevad report (6.38 MB) ‘Key figures for e-commerce in France’. With €175.3 billion in sales and 2.6 billion transactions, e-commerce maintained its growth trajectory in 2024 and entered a new phase. As inflation eases, growth in the sector is now driven by volume rather than value alone. This renewed momentum has led Fevad to project that e-commerce will surpass €200 billion in revenue by 2026.

Reusable product carrier for improved transport efficiency
On 25 September 2025, Alexander Jansen, held a presentation entitled ‘The development of a reusable product carrier for improved transport efficiency and regulatory compliance‘ as part of his master assignment at the University of Twente. Chairman of the assessment committee was prof. Roland ten Klooster who holds the NVC Chair Packaging Design and Management.
 

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