Every region has its own specifics and dynamics. The DACH region is one of the most advanced in the world. A strong economy and a high standard of living have its reflection in the e-commerce industry.
What is DACH?
An abbreviation DACH stands for D — Deutschland (Germany), A — Austria, CH — Confœderatio Helvetica (Switzerland). Therefore, it refers to German-speaking Europe.
The shape of e-commerce in the DACH region
Despite many common characteristics of the German, Austrian and Swiss e-commerce market, each of them is growing at its own pace. Read on to find out more about it!
Germany
As of 2025, Germany continues to be a significant player in the European e-commerce landscape, which aligns with its status as one of the largest economies in Europe.
The German e-commerce market is 6th largest and has been forecasted to generate approximately $116,574.3 million by 2025. This positions it ahead of Japan. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% from 2025 to 2029, eventually reaching a projected volume of about $136,826.8 million by 2029.
Source: ECDB
With results like this, it’s no wonder Germany is an excellent environment for e-commerce development.
The structure of the German e-commerce market reflects its dynamic and competitive nature, with a significant portion of sales happening through online marketplaces. For instance, Amazon.de and eBay are among the top online stores in Germany at the end of 2024. The leader – Amazon – is years before the rest of the online shops, gaining 77% of the votes from respondents.
In terms of market segmentation, Fashion remains the largest category, accounting for 24.9% of e-commerce revenue, closely followed by Hobby & leisure products (24.0%) and Electronics (21.4%). This diversification in product categories supports the ongoing expansion and consumer engagement within the German e-commerce market.
Interestingly, this podium has not changed much since 2023. As you can see below, two years ago fashion, hobby & leisure, and electronics were also in the top spot.
Furthermore, the online share of the retail market in Germany has been increasing to 18.7%, which indicates a shift in consumer purchasing behavior towards online platforms. This trend is likely to continue, with the online share expected to grow significantly to 22.1% in 2029.
Austria
In 2024, Austria’s e-commerce market continues to evolve. This country has a predicted revenue of $11,925.4 million by 2025 and is placed ahead of Greece as the 28th largest e-commerce market. By 2029, there are forecasts that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% (CAGR).
Source: ECDB
The sector is expected to expand by 4.7% this year, maintaining its recovery after a slight contraction in 2023. This growth aligns with a broader trend of increasing online engagement, as the share of e-commerce within Austria’s retail landscape is forecasted to reach 17.5% in 2025, up from 15.5% in 2024.
Source: ECDB
The Austrian e-commerce market in 2025 is divided into a few segments, with Fashion taking the lead by contributing 21.9% of the total online revenue. This category’s dominance reflects the strong demand for clothing, footwear, and accessories across various age groups and shopping platforms. Electronics follows closely with a 20.9% share, highlighting the continued interest in gadgets, devices, and home tech solutions. Hobby & Leisure products rank third, making up 19.9% of the market, as Austrians increasingly spend on entertainment and recreational items.
The market remains largely dominated by international players. Amazon.de leads with net sales of $979 million, while Zalando.at follows with $383 million. Other significant platforms include Shop-Apotheke.at ($193 million), Ottoversand.at ($186 million), and Universal.at ($183 million). In terms of gross merchandise value (GMV), Amazon tops the list with $3.49 billion, far outpacing Zalando ($603 million) and eBay ($439 million).
Source: ECDB
E-commerce in Austria is bolstered by the high penetration of the internet (95.3%) and smartphone usage, which drives consumer engagement across various online platforms. At the start of 2024, there were 8.58 million internet users. Interestingly, the number of mobile connections increased by 75,000 in one year (January 2023 – January 2024).
Switzerland
Switzerland has the 25th largest market for e-commerce. It is projected to reach approximately $17,565.1 million by 2025, with expectations of a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8%. As a result, we can expect a market volume of $20,391.8 million by 2029.
Source: ECDB
Regarding shopping categories, Electronics is leading with 27.5%. This reflects the strong consumer interest in gadgets, appliances, and tech accessories, driven by Switzerland’s high digital adoption and demand for premium devices. Fashion follows with a 24.6% share, showcasing the popularity of online shopping for clothing, shoes, and accessories across all demographics. Hobby & Leisure products account for 14.4%, indicating a solid market for entertainment, sports, and recreational goods.
Moreover, the e-commerce environment is dominated by a mix of local and international players, with Galaxus, Digitec, Zalando, Brack, and Apple leading as the top online stores. Galaxus.ch is the most significant player in Swiss e-commerce – in 2025, the store has $1,060.0 million in revenue.
Source: ECDB
These platforms benefit from Switzerland’s high internet penetration rate (99%), which is among the highest in the world. Also, Switzerland’s online share is 15.8% and will reach 19.8% by 2029.
But retail is also doing well. There are 6.79K Food & Drink stores in the region, which makes up 27.91% of all stores. Apparel is next, with 4.03K stores, and the top three closes the Home & Garden category – with 2.01K stores, making up 8.24% of all stores.
Logistics & parcel delivery in the DACH region
It comes as no surprise that the rapid growth of e-commerce also affects logistics. As a matter of fact, transportation & logistics are both a pre-condition, and a consequence of online trading. To put it simply: efficient logistics systems and networks are a crucial component of success when it comes to selling online and delivering purchased products in a given country. That’s precisely why they have to be improved continuously, to meet the needs of e-commerce businesses and their customers.
Luckily, countries in the DACH region seem to understand that very well.
Many online retailers choose to sell to neighbouring countries, and/or the ones most similar to their home market in terms of language and culture. Especially in Switzerland, cross-border e-commerce is popular due to its multilingual population and central location in Europe. Swiss online shoppers frequently purchase from neighboring countries like Germany, France, and Italy, driven by better prices and a wider selection of products.
But the whole DACH region is a perfect example of that, especially due to its long-standing tradition in regional trade. Basically, in the case of German-speaking countries, there’s no need for e-retailers to adjust their online stores too much – except for allowing for cross-border deliveries and returns. The growing cross-border e-commerce, on the other hand, results in more cooperation between several e-retailers and carriers.
In comparison with some other areas in Europe, e-commerce and delivery clusters are definitely well-established in the DACH region.
Apart from expanding their logistics networks, carriers also strive to improve their services and handle the increasing volumes of e-commerce by investing in infrastructure facilities. This includes investments in modernizing the existing facilities, as well as constructing new sorting and delivery hubs. All of these constant improvements might be the reason why countries in the DACH region are among the best-performing delivery markets in the UE.
In Germany, the logistics market remains vibrant, with Deutsche Post DHL, a major player, managing a substantial volume of parcel deliveries. In 2023, they transported around 1.73 billion packages, which showed an increase compared to 1.67 billion in 2022. Notably, Deutsche Post DHL has been proactive in adopting sustainable practices, integrating electric vehicles into its fleet to reduce emissions. To compare, DPD – Germany’s second-largest parcel service – delivers over 350 million parcels worldwide annually.
Austria, while smaller in logistics scale compared to Germany, has been making notable strides. The region’s logistics providers are urged to adopt innovations from Germany, which remains a leader in logistics technology and services. This includes companies like Deutsche Post DHL and Dachser, which are well-known for their advanced logistics operations.
Switzerland actively participates in the European logistics market and takes advantage of cross-border deliveries, which are a significant aspect of this market. Swiss logistics companies are improving their service offerings to handle increasing e-commerce volumes. This includes extending delivery times and enhancing parcel tracking systems.
According to Statista, the German CEP (Courier, Express, and Parcel) market is projected to reach over $36.74 billion by 2030. It continues to expand and is driven by technological advancements and a growing reliance on internet-based services. Further, Mordor Intelligence indicates that it will achieve $34.20 billion by 2029.
And what about returning parcels? Well, Switzerland stands out here. But let’s start with Germany. As of December 2024, clothing tops the list of the most returned online purchases, with 31% of respondents indicating they had sent back items from this category. Shoes follow as the second most returned category, with 20% of shoppers returning footwear. Accessories are less frequently returned, with only 8% reporting returns.
In Austria clothing is the most commonly returned product category, too, with 30% of online shoppers indicating they sent back items from this segment. Shoes follow with a 17% return rate. Accessories with 8%.
You won’t be surprised by Switzerland’s most returned purchases. As of December 2024, clothing was the most frequently returned online purchase; as many as 37% of respondents indicated they sent back items in this category! Shoes followed with a 25% return rate, and Accessories were returned by 10% of shoppers.
Payments
Payment preferences are one of the core elements of e-commerce. They may vary significantly between different countries. You need to dig deeper into them to fully understand DACH customers.
In the DACH region, encompassing Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the most popular payment methods include:
- online payment services
- invoices
- direct debits
- credit and debit cards
- prepaid cards
- cash
- bank transfers
For example, a significant majority of transactions in Germany utilize online payment services (66%), invoices (52%), and direct debits (46%).
The Swiss e-commerce market is dominated by cards: VISA and Mastercard, with 93.9% and 93.5% respectively. Other payment methods offered in the Swiss e-commerce market include PayPal, with 72.7%, bank transfer/cash in advance, with 49.5.0%, and American Express, with 43%.
Source: ECDB
A similar case is in Austria: VISA cards account for the largest percentage of payments, with 91.0% of all verified online stores. Other payment methods offered are Mastercard (90.8%), PayPal (83.3%), bank transfer/cash in advance (55.8%), and Sofortüberweisung (52.5%) – it’s an online banking-based payment method developed by the Swedish payment provider Klarna.
Source: ECDB
These methods are increasingly favored for their convenience and the integration of advanced security measures. Let’s check them in more detail.
Online Payment Services
Online payment services in the DACH region facilitate easy and secure transactions for both consumers and businesses. They are an interesting option for everything – from single purchases to recurring payments. These platforms include providers like PayPal, Adyen, and Stripe, which support a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and mobile wallets.
In Germany, 66% of online transactions were made using these services. They offer the advantage of consolidated transaction processes, often with enhanced security features like fraud protection and data encryption. That’s why they are highly popular for e-commerce. And in Austria, over 58% of people make online purchases using digital payment methods. On the other hand, the Swiss use digital wallets 18% of the time for online purchases.
Invoices
Invoicing is a traditional payment method widely used in B2B transactions throughout the DACH region. It allows businesses to request payment post-delivery of goods or services through invoicing software, providing buyers a set period (often 30-90 days) to make the payment.
This method is particularly prevalent in Germany, where it integrates smoothly with the country’s well-organized financial infrastructure. Invoices offer the flexibility of deferred payment but can pose a risk of delay or non-payment, impacting cash flow for sellers.
It’s interesting that invoices are still the second-most popular payment method when shopping online in Germany, which may not be popular among merchants but is expected widely, especially in B2B transactions. The one big exception is PayPal, which outshines every other online payment method due to its wide popularity.
Direct Debits (SEPA)
Direct debit is a common payment method in the DACH region for both recurring and one-off payments. It authorizes the merchant to withdraw funds directly from the customer’s bank account when payments are due.
This method favors utility bills, subscriptions, and other regular expenses. In Germany, 46% of online shoppers use direct debits, appreciating the convenience and the reduced need to handle each transaction manually.
The number of direct debit transactions in Austria has experienced notable fluctuations between 2000 and 2023. The trend shows a steady increase in transactions from 2000 to 2013. However, after this peak, the volume of direct debits saw a sharp decline.
From 2014 onwards, the market showed a relatively stable pattern, with minor fluctuations and a gradual recovery. By 2023, the number of direct debit transactions climbed back to just over 528 million.
Credit and Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards are among the most prevalent payment methods globally and are widely accepted across the DACH region. They facilitate immediate payments and are extensively used both online and in-store.
Consumers in these countries benefit from the security and convenience offered by major card networks such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Cards often come with rewards programs, which enhances their appeal. However, merchants face processing fees, which can be a drawback.
As we said earlier, cards account for the largest percentage of payments in Austria and Switzerland.
Digital Wallets
Digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay have seen increasing adoption in the DACH region, especially since their introduction in Austria in 2019 and Switzerland in 2020.
They allow users to store payment information securely on their devices and make payments with a single tap or click. And consumers really like them. For example, Switzerland has its own mobile payment app – Twint, which enjoys significant popularity.
In Austria, while digital wallet adoption is growing, traditional payment methods remain prevalent. As of 2023, 40% of Austrians still prefer using cash.
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are a popular choice for controlling spending and are widely used across the DACH region. These cards are pre-loaded with funds and can be used until the balance runs out. They offer a form of budget control without the risk of debt accumulation associated with credit cards. They are particularly popular among younger consumers and in situations where traditional banking services are not accessible.
Prepaid cards are not a dominant payment method in the DACH region for everyday purchases, but they are commonly used as well. In Austria, the prepaid card and digital wallet market is projected to expand from $4.2 billion in 2023 to $6.89 billion by 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%. Similarly, Switzerland’s market is expected to grow to $5.68 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 7.8%.
Cash
Despite the surge in digital payment methods, cash remains a significant mode of transaction in the DACH region, particularly in rural areas and among older demographics. In Switzerland, for instance, cash is still used for a considerable number of small transactions despite the country’s high level of digitalization.
In Germany, 18% prefer cash in advance, and 7% cash in delivery. 78% of Austrians do not foresee abandoning cash within the next few years, indicating a strong cultural attachment to physical currency. Additionally, 98% of Swiss businesses continue to accept cash, underscoring its ongoing importance in the economy.
The preference for cash is often linked to its anonymity and the direct control it provides over personal spending.
Bank Transfers
Bank transfers are a staple financial tool for both individuals and businesses in the DACH region, used extensively for domestic and international transactions. They offer a secure way to transfer large sums of money but can involve fees and processing times that vary by bank.
In Austria, bank transfer/cash in advance still has a significant market share among the payment methods offered compared to cards. It enjoys as much as 55.8%. In Switzerland, bank transfers/cash in advance are popular among 49.5% of customers. But the highest value among the DACH countries has Germany – as much as 72.4% of customers use them.
How to conquer the DACH e-commerce market
Even though in the DACH region, there are many e-stores with huge revenues, German-speaking consumers still shop online at foreign retailers. That is why there is still room for new players in this market. Check out the most important aspects of the e-commerce industry in the DACH region.
Gain trust
German customers value security and quality. Therefore, you should use digital badges, testimonials, and certificates on your website to attract customers. It regards the security of data and payment methods, as well as product recommendations. Also, international retailers should consider aiming for localized websites, for example, by adjusting the local domain (.de, .ch, .at).
Besides the certificates popular worldwide like Google Trusted Store and PayPal verified, you can consider the following:
Trusted Shops – it is Europe’s most popular e‑commerce trustmark. Certified shops are in line with comprehensive quality criteria, offer their customers financial risk protection with a money-back guarantee, and handle personal data with care.
EHI Siegel – checks online shops every year on the basis of many individual criteria. Upon successful completion, the shop will be awarded the EHI Certified Online Shop Seal of Quality. A transparent fee structure guarantees a fair certification of your online shop – seven price categories, no hidden additional costs.
eKomi – offers a unique platform where consumers leverage effective communication about their experiences. It has one of the most elite, vast Customer Feedback Management teams, which personally screens every single review collected, 24/7 for their clients.
Provide several payment methods
While they might have their favorite method (often online payments, debit cards, or invoices), offering various alternative payment options is crucial for businesses looking to succeed in the German e-commerce market. Here’s why:
Security seekers. Some customers prioritize security and may prefer digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, which offer robust fraud protection features.
Convenience chasers. Busy Germans might favor the speed and one-click simplicity of mobile wallets or direct debit options.
Traditionalists. The invoice with deferred payment offers a familiar and trusted method for those who appreciate receiving an invoice before paying.
Budget-conscious consumers: Prepaid cards can provide a sense of control over spending, particularly for online transactions.
Offering different payment methods is really crucial, and the PayPay study shows how. It says that as much as 13% of respondents abandoned their carts since there weren’t enough payment methods.
Cart abandonment continues to be a major hurdle for online retailers, with checkout-related frustrations driving high drop-off rates. This image presents key benchmarks from 2023, along with the main reasons shoppers abandon their carts:
Be aware of high return percentage
In 2025, online retailers targeting the German market should be mindful of the country’s high return rates, which are 26% of all online purchases. In Switzerland, the score is higher – 27%.
In Germany, consumers have the right to return products purchased online within 14 days for any reason and without justification. What you can do to prevent this is to get to know better customer expectations. Once you find out what are the main reasons for returns, you can minimize them. You also might need a local address for returns and a special subpage where you can inform about your returning policy.
Make sure you are accessible to all customers
As of June 28, 2025, businesses across the EU must ensure their websites and digital services comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA). This regulation mandates that all e-commerce platforms, apps, and online content be accessible to people with disabilities. The primary standard guiding this effort is EN 301 549, developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). This standard aligns with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA and covers various aspects of accessibility:
- Web content
- Software applications
- Digital documents
- Multimedia content
- Hardware interfaces
- Communication platforms
To get ready, businesses can start by reviewing their digital presence with an accessibility audit, updating content to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, and giving their teams some practical training on accessibility basics. In the case of software applications, user onboarding tools can help with the usability of functionality of a product for those with and without disabilities.
Localize customer experience
You also need to take care of the website’s language that suits your visitors’ native language (consider French and Italian versions for some of the Swiss customers) and adjust currency.
The German language is a huge asset in DACH – a bigger one than you could have thought. While in Berlin, speaking other languages is just normal since it is a melting pot of Europe, in other regions of Germany (and DACH generally), the lack of knowledge of the German language can cost you a lot of leads and potential deals.
Knowing German also has another benefit: dramatically decreasing the risk of being misunderstood. Even though a lot of Germans know English and use it in business, there may be some technical or legal terms that could be troublesome. This can lead to many problematic situations. Also, you should not expect each and everyone in the region to speak English fluently, so if you need to manage your meeting or call in this language, you need to remember not to use slang or very advanced sentences.
In some regions of Germany, you may even notice a slight reluctance to speak foreign languages. The implication is that you can get a better deal if you speak German.
What is in good taste? Making the first contact in German. If you think your German is good enough, you will have better chances to seal the deal. If you think about conquering the area of DACH, you need to be prepared to understand, write, and speak German really well.
It is not the easiest nut to crack to do business in Germany. You need to consider a lot of regional references and even a small mistake you make can write your expansion off. Remember that Germans hate talking about nothing, business small talks are rarely their cup of tea. Come to any meeting fully prepared, with a set of full, concise data. Any “I don’t know” can destroy your chances. If, additionally, you lead that meeting in German, your chances of succeeding are increasing. A very similar approach can be seen in Austria and Switzerland.
What to remember when dealing with Germans?
- Punctuality is the key. You’re late, you’ve lost.
- Keep feelings and political opinions to yourself since they can be found offensive by many Germans. While it can be regarded as amazing small talk or ice-breakers in many cultures, it doesn’t work with Germans.
- Speaking German really helps. Of course, the better you speak, the better you are seen, but even basic knowledge can help.
- Straight to the point. Concrete information, details, and arrangements. Germans value time more than anything!
Social media usage in Germany
Social media plays a vital role in promoting business in Germany. Social media usage in Germany remains a key part of daily life, with 67.8 million active users recorded at the start of 2024, representing 81.4% of the population. Interestingly, this figure reflects a drop of 3.1 million users compared to the previous year.
What platform do Germans like the most? Let’s see.
Platforms like What’sApp, Instagram, and Facebook continue to dominate, though Instagram saw notable growth, with 30.35 million users. TikTok’s user base also increased by 14.1%, reaching 23.56 million adults. Meanwhile, LinkedIn grew by 20%, indicating a rising interest in professional networking.
Social media use isn’t limited to younger demographics; with 87.1% of adults aged 18 and above engaged on these platforms, it’s clear that social media is a key communication and marketing tool across age groups. Despite the minor overall decline, the diversity in platform growth suggests that users are simply shifting their attention to networks that better align with their interests and needs.
We Are Social also paid attention to the most active social media platforms in Switzerland. What strikes us here is that the second place belongs to Instagram, not Facebook, which took third place this time.
What does it look like in Austria? Here, again we have WhatsApp in first place, next to Facebook, and the third position is for Instagram.
So, unfortunately, there is no universal answer for how and where to manage marketing activities in the DACH region. You have three main applications that are on the podium, but you still need to take a few factors into consideration:
- Which market would you like to focus on?
- What is your product and target group?
- What does your competition look like?
- What is your marketing budget?
- What is the USP?
But one thing is certain: Keep your social media campaigns clear, concise, and informative. Those with a lot of gibberish won’t be warmly welcomed in this region.
Pay attention to the delivery experience
For German customers, it is one of the crucial aspects. Prepare a wide choice of delivery methods and options. Think also about free delivery. German consumers are perceived as price-sensitive. Therefore, free delivery can act as a major incentive, which can influence purchase decisions, and encourage retailers who offer it.
Here are some additional factors to consider:
- Minimum order value: Many businesses offer free delivery above a certain order value. This incentivizes customers to spend more to qualify for free shipping.
- Subscription models: Some retailers might offer free delivery as part of a subscription service, which promotes customer loyalty.
- Transparency: Clearly communicate your delivery options and any associated costs on your website to avoid surprising customers at checkout.
Be mobile-friendly
Make sure that your website is fully responsive and intuitive for smartphone and tablet users. Going mobile for e-commerce does not necessarily mean creating a mobile app, as nowadays, users already have a vast number of apps downloaded on their devices, and they might prefer shopping via a browser. Instead, optimize your websites and apps for mobile users. They may use different systems.
The trend of mobile shopping in Germany is only expected to grow. By prioritizing a responsive and user-friendly mobile website, you cater to the needs of German consumers, improve your search engine ranking, and ultimately drive online sales and business success.
Take advantage of multiple shopping channels
Online marketplaces have become a major force in DACH e-commerce. They offer a vast selection of products and a convenient shopping experience for consumers.
Among all the retailers and marketplaces, there are a few companies that simply stand out, including Amazon.de. But the website Amazon.de is also often visited in Austria, and it’s pretty popular in Switzerland as well.
Since marketplaces are quite popular in the DACH region, customers tend to compare prices on several different platforms as well. Actually, there’s a range of price comparison websites that are quite popular, including Idealo.de, Preis.de, Shopping24.de, etc.
As can be seen, there are a lot of platforms and price comparison sites that you can use to your advantage. By listing your products on at least a few such portals, you can increase the visibility of your e-commerce business and reach more potential customers in the long run. Choose wisely and get familiar with the terms & conditions of every platform, though.
Pay attention to law specifics
Any business that intends to address possible e-commerce customers in Germany needs to consider German law. There are some areas where legal regulations are harmonized within the European Union, but businesses must know about plenty of differences in national German law.
So, before entering the e-commerce market, getting legal advice’s a good idea. In general, e-commerce law requires the fulfillment of specific duties by the business to its customers.
Some duties may include the following:
- German law mandates that all commercial websites clearly display an imprint containing specific information like the business name, address, contact details, and a commercial register entry (if applicable).
- Websites offering goods or services online should have clear and readily accessible AGB (Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen) outlining terms of sale, delivery, warranty, and customer rights.
- All prices displayed on a website must be clear and inclusive of all taxes and mandatory fees. This includes VAT (Value Added Tax).
- German product safety regulations are strict. Businesses are responsible for ensuring their products comply with relevant safety standards.
These requirements may vary depending on the laws in the three central European countries that make up the DACH region.
When it comes to personal data online, the collection and use is regulated by the GDPR and the German Data Protection Act. The GDPR applies to the processing of personal data in the context of activities of an establishment of a controller/processor in the EU – the place in which the process takes place has no meaning. The GDPR also prohibits the collection and use of personal data unless it is permitted by statutory law or the data subject has consented to it.
Common mistakes in e-commerce made by companies include:
- fail to inform consumers appropriately – for instance, concerning their right to withdrawal
- providing incorrect information on the imprint,
- the use of unfair terms and conditions, pricing, shipping costs,
- or missing information about product labeling.
Businesses often violate copyrights and trademarks as well.
Industry organizations in the DACH region
If you run an online store and you plan to enter the DACH region the lack of experience and language barriers can be challenging. It might be helpful to cooperate with e-commerce organizations.
Händlerbund – the largest e-commerce association in Europe. It offers a variety of services and resources to support and empower online businesses, particularly those operating in Germany. It can help in areas like legal compliance, marketing, technology, and industry networking.
HDE Handelsverband Deutschland – (The German Retail Association) is the leading industry association representing the retail sector in Germany. It has a big role in advocating for the interests of retailers and fostering a healthy retail environment in the country. It provides resources and guidance on legal and regulatory issues relevant to retailers. HDE members gain valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in the German retail market.
EHI – Retail Institute is a scientific institute dedicated to research and education in the retail industry. Based in Germany, it plays a significant role in providing insights, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of retail within the DACH region. It conducts in-depth research on various retail-related topics, including consumer behavior, emerging technologies, and future trends. Their research findings are published in reports, studies, and industry publications. This valuable information helps retailers make informed decisions and adapt to changing market dynamics.
Bunderverband Onlinehandel – (BVOH), which translates to “Federal Association of Online Retail” in English, is a German organization that acts as the champion for online retailers, mainly focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The BVOH lobbies the German government and policymakers on behalf of online retailers. They advocate for fair regulations, a level playing field with brick-and-mortar stores, and policies promoting online commerce’s growth and success. While the name emphasizes “Onlinehandel” (online retail), the BVOH recognizes the importance of a multi-channel approach.
BEVH – stands for Bundesverband E-Commerce und Versandhandel Deutschland, which translates to German E-Commerce and Distance Selling Trade Association. It’s a major player in the German e-commerce landscape, that advocates for and supports businesses that operate online and through mail order. BEVH provides valuable resources and information to its members, including legal updates, industry trends, and best practices in areas like marketing, logistics, and customer service. This knowledge empowers businesses to operate efficiently and navigate the complexities of e-commerce in Germany.
BVDW – stands for Bundesverband Digitale Wirtschaft (German Association for the Digital Economy). It’s a prominent organization in Germany that champions the interests of companies operating in the digital sphere. By being part of BVDW, businesses have a stronger voice in shaping policies and regulations that affect the digital economy. Also, members gain valuable insights from industry experts, receive updates on digital trends, and learn best practices to stay competitive.
The list of e-commerce events in the DACH region
To stay up-to-date with the latest trends and solutions and to get inspired, you can visit conferences and fairs. Check out which e-commerce events are worth attending.
We hope that our guide lets you prepare for entering and conquering the DACH market! Follow the tips listed above to respond to German-speaking consumers.
***
