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E-commerce week ‘warms’ the market with hopes and discounts

Hopes for market revival, after a sluggish first quarter of the year in retail, are created by the e-commerce week (Cyber ​​Week) that starts on Monday, April 4 and will last until Sunday, April 10 with a significant participation of Greek online stores. This is the largest celebration of Greek eCommerce and an initiative of the Hellenic E-Commerce Association (GRECA) which is under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Commerce and Consumer Protection.

The widespread optimism in the market is confirmed by the fact that e-commerce proved to be the big winner in the pandemic with the turnover in Greece setting a new record in 2021, reaching, according to the estimates of Eltrun (Laboratory of E-Commerce and E-Business) of the University of Economics. , at 14 billion euros. It is noted that in 2020 the turnover of e-commerce in Greece amounted to 11.5 billion euros while in 2019 it is estimated at 9 billion euros.

“In recent years, and especially during the pandemic, e-commerce has grown and has now penetrated well into the daily lives of Greek consumers. Many start-ups have taken advantage of the international situation as an accelerator of development by developing technological tools and skills to meet its challenges. Christos Dimas, Deputy Minister of Development and Investment, points out in a statement to the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency.

“It is characteristic that we see more and more Greek start-ups, especially those that are active in the creation of software / applications to achieve great collaborations with large companies from abroad” says Mr. Dimas and adds: “But now they have as ally the State which through Elevate Greece has important tools such as incentives for investment angels, acquisition of optional shares, liquidity enhancement actions and synergies that strengthen the innovation ecosystem, actively supporting the ideas of tomorrow “.

Makis Savvidis, vice-president of GRECA, representative for Greece and member of the Board of the European Federation of Electronic Commerce and vice-president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, expresses his satisfaction for the participation of Greek eShops in the e-commerce week during the APE-MPE. As he states characteristically: “What GRECA expects is the participation of as many Greek online stores as possible. So far they have registered more than 250 while the list is constantly expanding, as the response is very large. We also expect the Greek consumer to learn further e-commerce, to offer it the best possible prices, quality products and the best services “.

According to Mr. Savvidis, with the motto: “There are many reasons to shop online!” This year’s e-commerce week aims to give consumers an extra incentive to shop online, showing them the benefits of online shopping, as well as focusing on educating and informing them about the issues that concern them. “Consumers in Greece, as in three or four other countries in Europe, are loyal to domestic e-commerce” notes Mr. Savvidis and adds: “Greeks by 85% trust Greek e-commerce.”

He also stressed that, due to the pandemic, there was an explosion of investments from the country’s e-commerce. In particular, “before the pandemic, there were around 6,000 e-commerce companies, of which a very small percentage actually operated their e-shop. Now, the number of companies offering their products electronically has jumped to more than 15,000. “of which more than 10,000 are active online stores and channel their products to the online channel. This shows the great growth of the industry.”

The vice-president of GRECA points out to APE-MPE that the government must help, with the tools at its disposal, companies not to turn only to Greece to serve only Greek consumers, but also abroad. In other words, the extroversion of e-commerce must be strengthened, so that companies can start exporting their products, mainly Greek, outside Greece. According to Mr. Savvidis, “the bet for Greek e-commerce is extroversion and in this context, both the government and GRECA must take further initiatives. The extroversion of Greek e-commerce will drag the development of Greek production “.

E-commerce is a trend and is growing

The large penetration, which widened and mainly accelerated due to the pandemic, of e-commerce in the general population in Greece is confirmed by the research findings carried out by GRECA in collaboration with the research company Trueberries. Specifically, the vast majority (95%) of the population has made at least 1 online purchase in the last 12 months while only 5% of the population states that they have not made an online purchase in the last 12 months. For 60% of the total population (62% among online shoppers), online shopping will continue to exist in their daily lives at the same rate, while 14% say they will increase the frequency of online shopping. Overall, taking into account those who say they will reduce it, online shopping will continue to affect 94% of the population. At the same time, 14% of the population says they are ready to increase the frequency of their online shopping. Among the public that declares their readiness to accelerate the transfer of their purchases to the online environment, there are slightly more women, significantly more consumers aged 18-34 as well as residents in areas outside Athens and Thessaloniki.

Food delivery and electronics show a significantly greater transfer of markets to the online environment. At the other end of the spectrum, purchases for pharmacy items, garden items, car / bicycle accessories, pet products, supermarkets and alcohol deliveries are mainly made in physical stores, even if this happens for different reasons in each category (e.g. bulky items, unavailability, prescription drugs). Almost 1 in 2 online purchases (48%) concerns food or coffee delivery. Focusing on the remaining 52% of annual transactions, 1 in 2 purchases concerns supermarkets, clothing, pharmacy or electronics.

Research conducted by GRECA on businesses, e-shops and couriers (B2B) shows that the e-commerce market boom in the last two years due to a pandemic, did not find businesses ready, but gradually managed to grow and meet the needs . The biggest challenge is the level of service in high demand conditions (such as during the lockdown). Competition that does not allow for long-term strategies, product transportation and delivery experience, stock management and technology upgrades are next to be recognized as the most important challenges today.

The next day, according to the research, will be judged by the correct, honest, clear and specific communication between all (e-shops with suppliers, suppliers with e-shops, eshops & suppliers with the end customer) and the adjustment of the service provided at its own cost. The two of the three main business challenges (service in conditions of high demand & experience of transport and delivery of the product) are inextricably linked with the courier companies and thus are perceived as participants in the problems that arise, seeking a solution. Respectively, as the research shows, the most important development opportunity is to ensure a holistic, good customer experience from the beginning to the end of his shopping trip (navigation, purchase and receipt of the product). Many companies are restrained in the idea of ​​increased costs in order to have better customer service. Nevertheless, a significant 32% are quite ready to accept it, while among GRECA members it reaches 43%.

Source: AMPE

Source: Capital

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