In 2013, the Digital Agenda for Europe identified e-commerce as a main driver for growth and set out clear objectives for facilitating its development across Europe. Earlier studies indicated that significant obstacles to increased e-commerce (particularly cross-border) lie in the delivery of the goods ordered online.
Against this background, the Commission issued a call for a study on the state of play of the EU parcel market with particular emphasis on e-commerce. The study analyses how delivery of products bought online can be improved to increase the amount of domestic and cross-border e-commerce in Europe. Improving delivery services is an important driver to enhance e-commerce.
The study had two main objectives.
Our team analysed how delivery of products bought online can be improved to increase the amount of domestic and cross-border e-commerce in Europe. The project utilised data from four different sources and stakeholders including e-shoppers, e-retailers, national regulatory bodies, and the delivery operators themselves. As part of our analysis, we conducted two online surveys: one for e-shoppers in six different representative countries, and one for e-retailers throughout the European Union.
The study outlines 20 market solutions and suggests 17 policy solutions to minimise the delivery-related barriers to e-commerce and improve e-commerce throughout the EU. The results of our study have been used to inform the European Commission in its further work on promoting e-commerce and creating a single market for e-commerce deliveries.
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