Cross-border e-commerce has shifted focus from speed to convenience, cost-efficiency, and customer experience. Thomas Hagemann, Founder & Co-CEO of Seven Senders, a leading European logistics platform, shared insights on navigating these changes during the EGN Podcast with our host Efe von Thenen.
According to our guest, the days of prioritizing speed above all else are over. While next-day delivery was once seen as a competitive edge, today’s focus is on providing convenient, reliable, and cost-effective delivery options.
Customers are now willing to wait longer if the overall experience is seamless and professional, especially for unique or high-value products. However, that is not the only factor that can lead you to success.
The role of localization
As Thomas Hagemann emphasized, localization is a critical component of cross-border success. He said that understanding local preferences—from pricing to carrier choices—is essential. For instance:
- In Switzerland, pricing must account for currency differences to avoid seeming unreliable.
- In Italy, delivery expectations vary greatly between the north and south.
Equally important is offering localized returns. A customer in southern Italy, for example, should have access to familiar, convenient return options rather than international carriers with limited coverage.
Common mistakes in cross-border commerce
Thomas Hagemann also identified three major pitfalls brands should avoid. Among them there were poor localization (ignoring local preferences and norms), unprofitable market focus (overextending in markets with low returns instead of prioritizing profitable ones like Switzerland or Norway) and misaligned delivery solutions (offering services that don’t align with customer needs, such as unnecessary next-day delivery for products that don’t require it).
Our guest and the host also discussed the role of Seven Senders in simplifying cross-border logistics. As our guest mentioned, Seven Senders supports brands of all sizes with tailored logistics solutions, ensuring faster, localized delivery across Europe. Their Seven Flex product enables smaller businesses to ship efficiently, while their broader solutions help large enterprises optimize carrier networks and cut costs.
For more insights, watch the full talk below:
Can’t watch? No problem. It is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcast.
***
