The European B2C e-commerce sector had another successful year in 2014. Even though the growth rate of the e-commerce turnover decreased somewhat, it still achieved double digits. In total, European B2C e-commerce sales increased by more than 14%, reaching € 423.8bn. The 28 member states of the European Union together experienced a similar growth, resulting in a EU28 B2C e-commerce turnover of € 368.7bn. So great growth all around!
These numbers stem from the new European B2C E-commerce Report 2015, which is the first one in our range of 2015 European reports.
I think it is great to see that B2C European e-commerce is performing so well. On a global scale, the European market ranked second last year, only behind Asia-Pacific, which is mainly driven by the unleashed Chinese e-commerce market. We expect another double-digit growth for Europe next year. With this, Europe will increase its lead on third-ranked North America.
United Kingdom remains largest B2C e-commerce market
Just like in 2013, the United Kingdom was the most important B2C e-commerce market within Europe in 2014. Its B2C e-commerce turnover increased by 14.7% and reached € 127.1bn. With this growth, the UK increased its lead on its nearest rivals Germany (+12.3%, € 71.2bn) and France (+11.2%, € 56.8bn).
In general, the biggest growth in terms of B2C e-commerce sales can be found in Central and Eastern Europe, with Russia leading the way. In 2014 this Eastern European giant accomplished an impressive growth of no less than 25.4%, resulting in a B2C e-commerce turnover of € 18.8bn. Combined with the fact that Russia is already the fourth-ranked e-commerce market within Europe, this growth rate makes it clear that the country is an e-commerce force to be reckoned with.
E-commerce increasingly important for European economy
Whereas e-commerce is still booming within Europe, the overall economy is only just getting back on its feet. This is evidenced by the fact the European GDP only increased by 1.6% to € 17.3trn.
The share of e-commerce within the European GDP continues to grow. Whereas this rate amounted to 1.27% in 2009, the eGDP nearly doubled to 2.45% in 2014! It is expected that this share will grow even more strongly in the next few years.
In 2014 about 65,000 new B2C websites emerged and 4.0 billion parcels were sent in 2014. The number of jobs created directly and indirectly by the B2C e-commerce sector is estimated at nearly 2.5 million in Europe. This figure will undoubtedly grow with the on-going increase and penetration of the Internet in the European society, and the projected growth of (B2C) e-commerce.
More European e-commerce facts and figures can be downloaded through the light version of the European B2C E-commerce Report 2015 and free infographics. In addition, the complete report can be ordered through https://www.ecommerce-europe.eu/facts-figures/full-reports.
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