According to the Western Europe B2C E-commerce Report, published by Ecommerce Europe, the total Western European e-commerce economy of online sold goods reached EUR 158.1 billion in 2012 and is expected to grow to EUR 173.8 billion in 2013.
The Western European region, including Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom, is now in first position for e-commerce size, with a 51% European market share. In 2012 the total B2C e-commerce economy of Western Europe reached EUR158.1 billion, a 20%+ growth compared to 2011.
The mature online markets of Western Europe are France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The UK leads the way with total online sales of EUR 96.2 billion. Projections for 2013 indicate that the United Kingdom will maintain its position with total sales of EUR 103 billion. France and Netherlands rank second and third with total sales of EUR 53 billion and EUR10.5 billion in 2013.
Ireland is in fourth place and will reach total sales of EUR 4.6 billion in 2013 and is one of the fastest growing e-commerce markets in Europe. Irish consumers are buying online above the curve with 25% sales growth year on year. However, in 2012 25% of Irish online spending went overseas due to lack of choice.
Belgium is showing relatively the lowest online sales, respectively EUR 3.0 billion in 2012. However, Belgium is expected to grow with 20% in 2013 and is therefore an upcoming e-commerce market.
Netherlands has an internet population of 94%
In 2012, the Western European population was estimated to be 162.3 million (19.8% of Europe’s population). Internet penetration in Western Europe (83%) has been above the European (66%) and EU28 average (76%) in 2012. The top three tier having internet access is being led by the Netherlands with 94%, followed by Luxembourg and the United Kingdom with 93% and 83% respectively.
Western European e-household spend EUR 2,625 online in 2012
Ecommerce Europe’s research reveals that 90 million consumers in Western Europe bought goods and services online in 2012.
The average Western European e-household spends a total of EUR 2,625 online in 2012. This is far above the European average of EUR 1,400 and EU28 average of EUR 1,696. The United Kingdom leads the way with EUR 4,010 on e-household expenditure. The United Kingdom has the biggest online spenders in Europe. Western Europe Ireland and Luxembourg follow with EUR 2,861 and EUR 1,955 online expenditure respectively.
Meanwhile Belgium (EUR 836) and The Netherlands (EUR 1,365) have a considerable gap when it comes to online expenditures per e-household. In Belgium e-commerce is still growing strongly and the country is expected to catch up quickly.
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