The balance of power in European retail is shifting. For the first time, Amazon has become the largest retailer in Europe by sales volume, surpassing Germany’s Schwarz Group, the parent company of Lidl and Kaufland. The milestone reflects the continued growth of e-commerce and marketplace-driven retail models across the continent. It also highlights how digital platforms are reshaping competition with traditional brick-and-mortar retail chains. A Narrow Lead In A Massive Market According to new figures from consultancy Retail Cities, Amazon generated around €179.7 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) in Europe last year, narrowly surpassing Schwarz Group, which reached about…
Cross-border e-commerce continues to grow rapidly in Europe. Every day, millions of small parcels arrive from outside the EU, shipped directly to consumers through marketplaces and international sellers. However, recent customs data suggests that a significant share of these shipments may not comply with European rules. According to Belgian customs authorities, around one-third of inspected e-commerce parcels are found to be in violation of EU regulations. These violations include counterfeit products, safety concerns, and incorrect product value declarations. The findings highlight a growing challenge for the European e-commerce ecosystem: ensuring product compliance amid an unprecedented influx of cross-border online purchases.…
