If you are an e-commerce shop based in North America and aren’t yet selling to Europe, then you are missing out on a huge opportunity to expand your customer base as well as increase profits.
With a market worth US$631billion and increasing, Europe has 540m mostly wealthy consumers. This is why thousands of North American brands are now selling in Europe.
To get started, you will need to do some research on the taxation and sales regulations that are in place within the member countries of the European Union. Not all use the euro and there are different laws and taxes in each country, even those who do not belong to the EU.
Many internet sources offer basic information. Shipping companies and ecommerce platforms are among the sources.
Sellers based out of North America are required to register with the Value Added Tax before they begin operating in Europe. This handy PDF Explains the registration process in details.
Jordi Vanmeer, Vice President of Revenue for North America in global e-commerce platform ChannelEngineThe level of North American e-commerce in Europe is an extremely broad question.
“The marketplace landscape in Europe is more complex and advanced, with many channels available across the different countries and markets. Vermeer explained to the E-Commerce Times that, for example, in some countries Amazon is not a major platform.
Plan for Selling in Europe
Update your retail website and allow customers to order directly from you. It could be your first move.
You must still adhere to EU and non EU regulations, even if you do it yourself. You should also consider translating your product and purchasing information. Don’t forget to translate customer reviews.
This can be done by including a Google Translate Link. You may also want to offer different payment methods for Europeans. You should have reliable shipping information and provisions to handle returns from unhappy buyers.
Subscribe to an international market to find solutions for many of these tasks. You can break into the European marketplace by using established online markets. You can use these to break into the European market. Etsy, Amazon Global, Argos, Shopify. eBay.
You can also use e-commerce platforms like PrestaShop, Woo Commerce. OpenCart.
In order to plan to sell in European markets, you must first determine where to sell your products, what they are, how to comply local tax and regulation requirements, and then how to ship them. fulfill orders.
Why the European E-Commerce Marketplace is Behind You
ChannelEngine clients in North America are currently selling or planning to sell products and services to Europe at a rate of between 35-40%. Vermeer explained how the products of the company help brands create additional revenue streams using existing platforms (marketplaces).
We asked him to elaborate on the process by which North American retailers sell into European markets.
Why should North American-based online merchants consider selling to Europe?
Europe is the perfect destination for North American brand. It is a collection of developed countries with a strong ecommerce presence that continues to grow.
Jordi Vermeer: It is possible to grow your business and brand by expanding into new regions. If you avoid common pitfalls and execute your plan well, it could transform your business.
Europe has a large number of consumers who enjoy shopping online. In 2025 there will be approximately 564 millions European online shoppers, according to StatistaOver 91% of Europeans (16-74 years old) use the internet. According to the European Commission 75% of Europeans shop online. The 27 EU member states and the United Kingdom are home to the majority of online shoppers.
Second, Europeans have a very high purchasing power. Brands who worry about their margins being eroded by the cost of exporting overseas will find this news encouraging. Price is not the only factor that influences buying decisions for European consumers, as they are generally wealthy.
Are European e-commerce merchants alone in their quest to sell to Europe?
Vermeer: Europe’s e-commerce scene is diverse, with many successful channels that go beyond the well-known names like Amazon and eBay. North American sellers are not discouraged by the fact that there is a diverse e-commerce landscape in Europe. ChannelEngine’s expertise and connections allow our clients to operate in the region using a platform that has deep knowledge.
How can your platform help independent retailers start marketing to European consumers?
Vermeer: Our learning materials are designed to help sellers learn about the top performing channels in each industry and country.
Three eBooks help guide sellers in various market niches. We have three ebooks that help sellers navigate through various market niches. The European Marketplace Strategy Guide. The second is The Home & Living Marketplace Guide Europe. The third, entitled Ecommerce in Europe made easy: A blueprint for US companiesUnderstanding market differences is key to guiding US companies.
Editor’s note: To access the ChannelEngine eBooks, you must complete a form. The E-Commerce Times does not receive any compensation.
What other ways does ChannelEngine help American online shops to maximize their revenue by selling in Europe?
Vermeer: ChannelEngine’s Integration Software is a complete partner ecosystem and platform rolled into one. We help brands integrate their different e-commerce platforms into one seamless platform. Brands are able to manage their orders, inventory, pricing, promotions, syndicated product listings and visualize the entire sales process without ever leaving their ChannelEngine account.
What are the best practices for selling into European markets?
Vermeer: Prior to anything else, it is important to plan, prepare, and develop a strategy. Defining goals and scope is important. [marketplaces, countries, assortment] The seller model that is best for you [1P, 3P, Merchant of Record, or reseller model].
The key to further development is getting started. This includes translations and listings. Determine the best fulfillment setup. Cross-border, 3PLs, FBAs, and MCFs are all important considerations. Returns and customer service strategies are also important.
What basic rules or guidelines should North American e-tailers adhere to in order to sell in Europe
Vermeer: The European market is fragmented. Instead of thinking about “selling Europe”, brands should consider “selling France, Germany the Netherlands, Poland etc.”
Each national market has different trends, buyer profiles and marketplaces. As sellers expand internationally, they will need to be able to communicate with each of these markets.
Why is the European market so strong and growing today?
Vermeer: In Europe, multichannel sales are inevitable, while in the U.S. it may be sufficient to sell on Amazon. There are many vertical-specific channels, local heroes, and niche channels that sellers must be present on to succeed in Europe.
You can increase your growth by enlisting local partners to develop and implement your strategies. They understand the market, help ‘localize’ content, and can handle a large part of the work if you lack resources.
