Retail and e-commerce - September 2020

Shift to e-commerce in Europe
Capterra's (in Dutch) July 2020 survey of consumers from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain found that 27% of those surveyed will continue to buy online.
ABN AMRO (in Dutch) published their forecast (in Dutch, 476 kB) for retail for 2020-2021. The recent shift in consumer demand towards the online channel will partly be permanent. The crisis will lead to the closure of several stores, especially in metropolitan areas.

E-commerce regulations
SGS reports that the European Consumer Organisation BEUC has called for online market places selling consumer goods in the European Union to be held accountable for faulty and unsafe goods. This legislative initiative is part of a trend towards greater online accountability. With new EU regulations becoming applicable from 16 July 2021, how do e-commerce sellers remain compliant?
From 1 July 2021, consumers will have to pay VAT on all their online purchases, including those from countries outside the European Union. GS1 advocates the use of standards to streamline this process and prevent disruptions in the delivery process.

Shopping behaviour of the Dutch consumer
How is the Dutch shopper motivated? Motivaction (In Dutch) researched the extent to which motives such as health, money and tradition play a role and mapped out a shopping model.

Sustainable packaging development
Sendcloud (in Dutch) conducted a consumer survey which showed that the corona peak increases patience among the Dutch and that flexibility in the Netherlands is essential for a satisfied customer. Another Sendcloud consumer survey shows that green delivery is low on the Dutch consumer's list of demands. You can download the report after filling in your details (in Dutch).
On 27 August 2020, Dagmar Sanderink held a speech entitled ‘The development of a sustainable reusable packaging for food delivery and takeaway’ as part of her master assignment at the University of Twente. Chairman of the assessment committee was professor Roland ten Klooster who holds the NVC Chair Packaging Design and Management.

Developments in retail due to COVID-19
Raconteur Media has released a report (1.7 MB) titled ‘Future of Ecommerce’ that was published in The Times. It explores how the pandemic is re-shaping the industry and what brands must do to continue delighting customers in these times.
McKinsey published their Perspectives on retail and consumer goods, Number 8 (12.7MB). This compendium contains their latest thinking on the topics that matter most, including COVID-19, to retail and CPG leaders.
DUO’s new research, ‘The Future of Packaging Report: Covid-19 Update’ looks into lessons the industry has learned from lockdown and what impact the pandemic has had on e-commerce packaging requirements among other factors. You can download the report after filling in your details.
Euromonitor published an article about how COVID-19 has rapidly accelerated pet care’s ongoing shift to e-commerce.
IRI published Part 7 - The changing shape of the CPG demand Curve (2.7 MB) in its COVID-19 and Navigating the Path Ahead series. Previous parts are also available.
 

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