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Cross-border already accounts for 17 percent of sales in Polish e-shops
Germany (73%), Spain (66%), and France (27%) are the most popular destinations with the largest increase in sales by GMV (Gross Merchandise Value), comparing the first half of 2023 with the same period in 2024 – according to the IdoSell report "Cross-border report from Poland". This means that residents of these countries spend the most on online purchases from Polish stores. Observing trends and changes in customer habits and their openness to ordering goods from other countries, more and more e-sellers in Poland are considering expanding their scope of operations to new sales markets. Cross-border can become a tool that will enable achieving double-digit sales growth.
Physical national borders are losing their importance in e-commerce
Consumers from countries neighboring Poland are very keen to buy from our domestic online stores. The IdoSell report shows that Lithuanians are the leaders in terms of the increase in the number of transactions with the Polish e-commerce market – they achieved a 123% increase in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The offer of Polish entrepreneurs selling online is also very popular with residents of countries such as Romania and the Czech Republic, which recorded a 93% increase in the analyzed period.
Polish e-shops effectively use the demand from consumers abroad. Thanks to the high quality of the products offered and very often competitive prices, their offer is gaining popularity on foreign markets. The wide range of products attracts customers from other countries who do not find the items they are looking for in local stores. Geographical borders of countries are losing their importance from the perspective of consumers, which only confirms that neighboring markets are becoming key directions for the expansion of Polish e-shops.
Cross-border trade requires appropriate facilities
Businesses considering expanding abroad must not forget about choosing the right payment method and enabling payment in local currency and potential legal differences. Customer service in the local language or logistics can also be a challenge.
– We are witnessing another transformation in e-commerce, which creates an opportunity for entrepreneurs to strengthen their position among competitors and give new dynamics to sales development. Competition on the Polish market is high, so it is worth verifying the business strategy and adapting the e-shop to foreign sales – comments Michał Dmitrowicz, Team Marketing Manager at IdoSell. – It is worth optimizing the sales process and adapting it to the expectations of local consumers, so as to maximize profits and quickly feel the increase in sales. Dedicated technological solutions can be helpful here, which were created with the Cross-border trade in mind and will make it easier for entrepreneurs to start and develop their business abroad – he adds.
Innovation is the grist to the e-commerce mill
Cross-border is constantly evolving, driven by changing consumer preferences and market conditions. Online sellers, by implementing appropriate technological solutions and using the full potential of available systems on the market, can significantly facilitate the trade process on an international scale. Dedicated platforms can not only facilitate the transfer of payments in local currencies, automate the development of translations using artificial intelligence, or manage the process of shipping goods. The platform enables sales automation and the creation of personalized shopping experiences. Thanks to the development of technology, foreign trade is becoming a great opportunity to explore new markets, acquire customers and discover new prospects for business development.
Cross-border may seem like a challenge from the perspective of online sellers, but the key is to create the right strategy tailored to the specific market. It is also important to select experienced partners who will provide real support in creating a shopping process tailored to consumer expectations, so that the e-seller can efficiently strengthen the position of their online store abroad.
