On-line spending in Germany continues to develop. The German Retail Federation (HDE) forecasts nominal ecommerce income to extend by 4.3 p.c this 12 months, reaching 96.3 billion euros. In response to HDE, gross sales generated by bodily shops will develop by just one.6 p.c.
The federation due to this fact describes ecommerce because the “development engine of retail”. Marketplaces stay notably well-liked amongst German internet buyers. Final 12 months, they already accounted for 56.7 p.c of all on-line gross sales. Their share is predicted to extend once more this 12 months, though development has slowed.
Worldwide platforms
Whereas ecommerce could also be driving retail development, this doesn’t essentially imply that German retailers are benefiting. A big share of on-line spending takes place on main worldwide platforms with out the involvement of German sellers. In response to HDE, Shein and Temu collectively generate roughly 4.7 billion euros in gross sales in Germany. A latest examine commissioned by the federation discovered that these Chinese language platforms drain billions of euros from the native economic system every year.
Shein and Temu account for 4.7 billion euros in gross sales
In response to HDE, 65 p.c of German customers have bought from a overseas on-line retailer not less than as soon as. Amongst these cross-border consumers, almost half (49 p.c) have purchased from a Chinese language retailer. Which means that greater than three in ten Germans have expertise buying on Chinese language platforms.
Honest competitors
Stephan Tromp, Deputy Managing Director of HDE, factors to the excessive degree of dynamism within the market sector and the significance of truthful competitors. “Sadly, that is nonetheless not the case for corporations similar to Shein and Temu. Policymakers have to take considerably stronger motion. There should be constant and significant penalties, but in addition rules that may be clearly enforced, so that each participant should assume that violations will truly be detected.”
Market focus in Germany
An rising share of Germany’s on-line client spending is flowing to a small group of main gamers, with Amazon by far probably the most dominant. Final 12 months, the American firm as soon as once more achieved a document income in Germany, its largest European market, rising gross sales by 12.3 p.c in contrast with the earlier 12 months.
The chart beneath, taken from the HDE On-line Monitor 2026, illustrates Amazon’s dominance. On the similar time, many smaller on-line retailers in Germany have seen their income decline in recent times.
