Whereas we saw a huge increase in online purchases during corona in recent years, in 2023 we see a 3% decline among people who store online regularly. Online purchases in fashion (-6%), beauty & healthcare (-9%) and groceries (-7%) decreased. This is according to DPD's E-Shopper Barometer 2023; the international research on trends & developments in online shopping. At the same time, the research shows that 71% of Dutch e-shoppers compared to the rest of Europe (58%) still buy a lot of clothes online. Dutch respondents say they are buying more second-hand products this year because they pay attention to price and sustainability.
E-commerce is slightly declining in the Netherlands as in all of Europe by 2023. In Germany in particular we see a decline in online purchases in fashion (-5%) and in Italy online purchases in household appliances and decoration (-7%), toys (-5%) and white goods (-6%) are declining. Unlike in the Netherlands, in other countries interest in other products is actually increasing: in England there is a 7% increase in online purchases in accessories and jewelry where in Italy online purchases in medicine grew by 9%.
C2C platforms
Finding inspiration and buying directly through social networks is a growing trend, with 53% of Dutch respondents saying they do this. The use of C2C platforms (where consumers buy and sell used products directly among themselves) is still very high in the Netherlands and Europe in 2023 despite the decline in online shopping. 77% of Dutch e-shoppers bought or sold through C2C platforms in 2023; this puts the Netherlands ahead of Italy (66%), England (74%), Germany (73%) and France (75%).
An increasing proportion of Dutch regular e-shoppers say they are buying more second-hand products because of inflation but also to make some extra money. Only 31% of Dutch e-shoppers think it is important to contribute to a more sustainable economy. In this, the Netherlands is still far behind other countries, where this awareness is greater. In France, for example, it is 42%, in Germany 38%.
Delivery and delivery
Regarding the delivery location of the parcel, customers want more and more choice and are using more different delivery options. Erik Uljee, CEO DPD Netherlands: "We see an increasing need for choice. Recipients and senders want to send or pick up their parcel at a time that fits into their busy daily lives. That's why we recently opened our 100,000th out-of-home parcel point, a pickup point where recipients can drop off and/or pick up their parcel at a time that suits them. With 100,000 parcel points, we have broad geographical coverage in Europe. Geopost's e-shopper survey annually examines the latest trends in online shopping and delivery preferences in Europe, and the 2023 results confirm that our strategy is meeting our customers' needs. "
