Online retail faces a slump in consumption – shallow entertainment partly to blame – New perspectives through XR / Metaverse

🛒 Consumer slump instead of buying enthusiasm: The decline in sales and the negative trend are giving both major players like Amazon, Otto and Zalando, as well as smaller online retailers, cause for concern

In 2022, online retail sales in Germany amounted to approximately €90.4 billion. Compared to the previous year, this represents a decrease of almost nine percent. Growth in recent years had been enormous – in 2010, e-commerce sales in Germany were still around €18.3 billion.

Online sales of goods in Germany up to 2022 – Image: Xpert.Digital

📉 Sales decline: Why the boom is over

For a long time, it seemed as if online retail would grow relentlessly. But now it's becoming clear that the market is more complex. For one thing, saturated markets could be playing a role. For another, we're experiencing a kind of "hangover effect" due to the pandemic: People bought a lot online during the lockdowns, and now there's a lull in consumption.

🛒 Consumer behavior: What the customer really wants

Online retailers should focus more on the needs and expectations of consumers. Today's customers are looking for more than just a simple purchase process; they want a shopping experience. This includes personalized offers, excellent customer service, and the ability to virtually try out products, perhaps even through XR technologies.

📺 Entertainment & Distraction: The Influence of Shallow Entertainment

The slump in consumer spending is partly caused by "shallow entertainment." People are spending more time with entertainment media that offer little or no incentive to buy. This shows that online retailers should not only focus on improving the shopping experience but also offer engaging content.

🌐 XR and Metaverse: The Next Front Line

If traditional online retail falters, the solution could lie in new technologies such as XR (Extended Reality) and the metaverse. These technologies could not only revolutionize the shopping experience but also unlock new revenue streams.

📣 Similar topics

• 🛒 How online retailers can react to the slump in consumer spending
• 📊 Sales trends in e-commerce: What's next?
• 💡 Creative strategies for online retail in challenging times
• 🎮 The influence of entertainment on purchasing behavior
• 📱 Personalization in e-commerce: A must for every retailer
• 🕶 XR in retail: Future or fad?
• 🌍 The influence of global trends on German online retail
• 🚀 Start-ups that are revolutionizing online retail
• 📈 How Big Data can save online retail
• 💳 Payment methods: What do Germans prefer?

#️⃣ Hashtags: #OnlineRetail #ConsumerSlump #ECommerceTrends #Metaverse #XRIinRetail

Find the right Metaverse agency and planning office such as a consulting firm - Image: Xpert.Digital

🗒️ Find the right Metaverse agency and planning office such as a consulting firm - search and search for top ten tips for consulting & planning

In the age of digitalization, where technologies such as Extended Reality (XR) and the Metaverse are constantly becoming more relevant, Xpert.Digital positions itself as an opinion leader and pioneer. With over 1,500 specialist articles, Xpert.Digital has established itself as a central point of contact for the industry.

🌌 Extended Reality (XR): The best of both worlds

Extended Reality is a collective term that includes virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR) and augmented reality (AR). Xpert.Digital is committed to creating immersive XR experiences that are both informative and entertaining.

• Interactive Experiences: XR allows users to immerse themselves in virtual worlds and interact with their surroundings in ways previously unimaginable.
• Education and Training: XR can be used for educational purposes to convey complex topics and concepts in an understandable and tangible way.
• Entertainment: Whether games, films or art – XR opens new horizons in digital entertainment.

🔮 Augmented Reality (AR): See the world through digital eyes

Augmented Reality, a particular focus of Xpert.Digital, makes it possible to integrate digital information or graphics into the real world. The possibilities are nearly unlimited.

• Marketing and Advertising: AR can be used to create interactive advertising campaigns that engage customers in a whole new way.
• Everyday help: From navigation apps that project the route directly onto the street to furniture apps that show what a new sofa would look like in the living room - AR makes it possible.

🌐 The Metaverse: The Next Big Thing

The Metaverse is a virtual world where people can interact through avatars and create shared experiences. Xpert.Digital recognizes the enormous potential of the Metaverse and is working to translate this potential into usable products and services.

• Social Interaction: The Metaverse offers the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world and share common experiences.
• Economy and trade: Virtual goods and services can be traded in the metaverse, which opens up completely new business models and sources of income.
• Creative Freedom: From building your own worlds to designing custom avatars, the Metaverse is a place of endless creative possibilities.

🚀 Xpert.Digital at the forefront of innovation

Xpert.Digital shows how a company can be at the forefront of the technological revolution. With their focus on XR, AR and the Metaverse, they are well positioned to shape and define the future of digital interaction.

More about it here:

• Experts in the Metaverse: Find the right partners

The coronavirus pandemic has brought about changes in many sectors, but online retail is one of the few industries that have benefited. Particularly in the first year of the pandemic, many of the largest online retailers recorded significant increases in sales.

😃 Big players dominate, but small ones are catching up

Although Amazon, Otto and Zalando are still the market leaders, the trends show an interesting development: Smaller online shops have been able to increase their sales, while the ten largest online shops have had to experience sales declines.

🌐 Online marketplaces in transition

Even though Amazon continues to dominate the online marketplace market, there are indications of declining revenues among the top 10 online marketplaces. This could present an opportunity for smaller marketplaces to gain market share.

🛠️ SEO and content strategies for online retail

🤑 Keyword research is king

For small and medium-sized online shops, the right SEO strategy is crucial for climbing the search results rankings. Keywords should not only be frequently searched, but also relevant to the specific business.

📝 Content is Queen

Good content is essential for the success of an online shop. A blog with helpful tips, product descriptions that highlight the benefits of a product, and social media posts that expand the customer base are just a few examples.

🎯 Backlinks and Social Signals

Creating high-quality, shareable content and generating backlinks are crucial for ranking. Partnerships with other websites and influencers can be very helpful in this regard.

📣 Similar topics

1️⃣ 🛒 How online shops are booming during the pandemic
2️⃣ 🏆 SEO strategies for small online shops
3️⃣ 💡 How do I create engaging content for my online shop?
4️⃣ 🤝 Partnerships and backlinks: The way to the top
5️⃣ 📊 Market analysis: Who are the big players in online retail?
6️⃣ 📉 Sales declines at large online shops: What happened?
7️⃣ 🚀 How smaller online shops are conquering the market
8️⃣ 🌍 Global online retail: Trends and forecasts
9️⃣ 💰 Increasing sales through the right pricing strategy
🔟 🤖 AI in online retail: The future is now

#️⃣ Hashtags: #OnlineRetail #SEO #ContentMarketing #SmallerShops #MarketTrends

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📈 The golden era of e-commerce

E-commerce has spoiled us with a plethora of advantages: simpler payment methods, fantastic UX design, and a seemingly endless selection of products. Until now, the sector seemed to know only one direction: upwards.

🤔 The crux of the matter: Why e-commerce is lagging 🐌

But even the most successful boom comes to an end. In a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected and digitalized, simply being "involved" is no longer enough. Compared to emerging industries like online gaming, which constantly offers immersive elements and innovations, e-commerce is stagnating. "Never change a running system" was the mantra – but now things aren't running so smoothly anymore.

💡 Reasons for the disillusionment:

1. Economic situation

Current economic uncertainty is dampening consumer spending.

2. Sensory overload

Customers are faced with a flood of shops and offers.

3. Monotony in Marketing

Instead of genuine innovation, there are usually only different versions of the same discount offers.

Consumers in sectors like cosmetics and sports nutrition have become accustomed to the flood of daily discounts. Given the immense level of competition, such incentives are virtually indispensable – a boon for consumers, but a killer of innovation for the industries involved.

😴 Market fatigue and consumer frustration 🚫

It's not just the economy; the customer is simply tired. Even with daily new "super deals" and events like Black Friday, it's no longer enough. Either the market is oversaturated, or the consumer is tired – or both.

🚀 Ways out of the crisis: What now? 🤷‍♀️

We could learn from online gaming: more interaction, more personalization, and above all, more surprises. Here are a few suggestions:

🎯 Gamification

Integrates elements from the gaming world into the shopping experience.

📱 Mobile First

An intuitive mobile experience is essential, as more and more people are primarily shopping via their smartphones. But please: keep it simple!

🌍 Localization

Not every market is the same. What works in the US doesn't necessarily work in Europe.

🔄 Agile Marketing

Away from the same old discount promotions, towards a new marketing approach.

Suitable for:

• Triosmarket is an innovative marketing strategy
• Reorganizing the marketing mix with New Digital Marketing: The Triosmarket model
• Triosmarket model and key market attributes: speed, automation, flexibility, and scalability

“Interestingly, many marketing methods that are established today, such as SEO or social media, were once considered experimental marketing before they became established in the marketing and sales mainstream.”

🤝 Conclusion: Together for a bright future 🌈

E-commerce may have seen better days, but that doesn't mean it can't shine again. What it needs is innovation, courage, and a willingness to learn from other industries.

📣 Similar topics

• 🎮 What e-commerce can learn from online gaming
• 🛍️ The fading luster of e-commerce: An analysis
• 💡 Innovation potential in e-commerce
• 📊 Why e-commerce is stumbling: A data analysis
• 🤖 AI in e-commerce: curse or Segen?
• 🌐 Global vs. Local: E-commerce strategies compared
• 📱 Mobile Shopping: The Future of E-Commerce?
• 🎯 Gamification in e-commerce: More than just a trend?
• 🚀 Startups that are revolutionizing e-commerce
• 🤷‍♀️ Customer loyalty in e-commerce: What really counts

#️⃣ Hashtags: #ECommerce #Innovation #OnlineGaming #CustomerLoyalty #MarketFatigue

Metaverse & Extended Reality training, lecture or workshop for augmented, mixed and virtual reality – Xpert.Digital

In today's digital era, technology is evolving at a rapid pace. There are constantly new terms and technologies that need to be understood and mastered. If you're having trouble keeping up with topics like Metaverse, XR technologies, or immersive 3D, you're not alone.

More about it here:

• XR technology Extended Reality training: Looking for a lecture or workshop for augmented, mixed and virtual reality? | Metaverse+

🛒 What is V-Commerce?

V-commerce, or virtual commerce, is the next evolutionary stage of e-commerce. Instead of just scrolling through product lists and images, customers can shop in a simulated environment. Think virtual fitting rooms or 3D product views that you can rotate and zoom.

🎯 Why is V-Commerce so important?

1. Unforgettable experience

A shopping trip is not just a transaction; it's an experience. And in the digital age, that experience needs to be innovative and interactive.

2. Increasing customer loyalty

Once customers have enjoyed the full V-Commerce experience, they are likely to return.

3. Customer entertainment as a USP

In a sea of ​​similar products and services, a strong entertainment experience can be a real unique selling proposition (USP).

🕹️ How do you integrate V-Commerce into your existing business model?

1. First steps with AR and VR

Start by incorporating Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR) elements into your website or app.

2. Personalized AI recommendations

Use artificial intelligence to offer personalized recommendations.

3. Community Building

Create online community spaces where customers can meet and share experiences.

📊 Measuring Success

Customer reviews and feedback

This provides insight into customer satisfaction.

Repeat purchases

A direct indicator of successful customer retention.

engagement

Usage time, click-through rate and other KPIs show how engaged the customers are.

📣 Similar topics

• 🌐 How V-Commerce is revolutionizing the shopping world
• 🎯 Why entertainment in e-commerce is no longer optional
• 🛒 Virtual fitting rooms: The future or just a hype?
• 🕹️ The impact of AI on V-Commerce
• 📊 How to measure the ROI of V-Commerce
• 🛍️ Personalization: The invisible salesperson in V-Commerce
• 💡 Innovative V-Commerce startups to watch
• 👥 V-Commerce and Generation Z
• 🤝 How V-Commerce promotes customer loyalty
•  🎮 V-Commerce and the gaming industry: An unexpected partnership

#️⃣ Hashtags: #VCommerce #CustomerLoyalty #Entertainment #DigitalTransformation #Innovation

(Consumer) Metaverse New territory for newbies – What you should know now – Image: Xpert.Digital

In today's digital world, terms such as blockchain, NFTs, wallets, cryptocurrencies and the metaverse have become increasingly present. For newcomers, these terms may seem confusing and complex at first. Here we try to explain these terms in an understandable way and give you important and interesting details about them.

More about it here:

• Metaverse new territory: The new Metaverse territory is revolutionizing our perception

📉 Social Media: A Sinking Ship?

The days when social media was considered the holy grail of brand awareness and sales growth are over. The sheer number of social media channels and paid influencers often no longer generates enough revenue to offset the dramatically increased costs. This is partly due to the fact that users have developed a certain "ad fatigue.".

💸 The Dilemma of Discount Systems

Another issue we've already touched upon is the one-sided focus on discounting systems. While these can lead to short-term sales spikes, they contribute to the erosion of brand integrity in the long run. This means that buyers could become accustomed to purchasing only discounted products, which reduces profit margins.

🌐 Omnichannel: More than just a buzzword?

Omnichannel is definitely a future-proof concept, but its implementation is often flawed or incomplete. The reasons are manifold, ranging from technical challenges to insufficiently trained staff. Companies need to invest to effectively integrate and operate these channels.

💡 Solutions for sustainable growth

1. Refocusing on core competencies

It is important to review your business model and recalibrate it if necessary.

2. Customer loyalty instead of discounts

Try to retain regular customers through excellent service and high-quality products, rather than trying to lure them with constant discounts.

3. Investment in education and training

Invest in training your employees to provide customers with a better shopping experience.

4. Smart use of data

Analyze customer behavior and preferences to adapt your strategy.

5. Explore hybrid strategies

Combine the best of online and offline sales to offer your customers a holistic shopping experience.

📣 Similar topics

• 📈 How does social media affect e-commerce?
• 🛒 Why discount strategies can be harmful in the long run
• 🤖 Technology and employees: Finding a balance
• 🌐 Omnichannel as the Holy Grail?
• 🎯 Core competencies as a success factor in e-commerce
• 📚 The importance of employee training
• 💡 Innovative strategies for sustainable growth
• 📊 Data analysis in e-commerce
• 🔄 The advantages of hybrid sales strategies
• 🛍️ Customer retention vs. customer acquisition

#️⃣ Hashtags: #ECommerceTrends #SocialMediaFall #OmnichannelStrategy #CustomerLoyalty #SustainableGrowth

Omnichannel refers to a multi-channel approach where all sales channels are interconnected. This means that a customer can seamlessly transfer their shopping experience from one channel to another, for example, from the online shop to the mobile app or the physical store. The focus is on providing the customer with a consistent and integrated experience, regardless of the channel used.

🤝 Hybrid: The merging of online and offline 🌐

The term “hybrid” is often used to describe models that utilize a combination of online and offline elements. For example, a hybrid business model could be a retailer operating both an online shop and physical stores.

⚖️ Is omnichannel therefore hybrid? 🤷‍♀️

In a sense, one could argue that a well-implemented omnichannel approach is a “hybrid” strategy, as it integrates both online and offline channels. However, the main difference lies in the focus:

• Omnichannel focuses on the seamlessness and consistency of the customer experience across different channels.
• Hybrid describes the combination of different elements (e.g., online and offline) in a single model or system.

Therefore, one could say that omnichannel can be a form of hybrid strategy, but not necessarily the other way around. In an omnichannel model, all elements are linked together to create a seamless customer experience, while a hybrid model can simply combine different elements without necessarily integrating them.

However, for most companies, implementing the omnichannel strategy doesn't quite work, and if it does, it's only inadequately.

A good understanding of omnichannel is best illustrated through a practical example. Let's imagine a retailer who operates both an online shop and a physical store.

🏁 Beginning of the customer journey: Online research 📱

Our customer, let's call him Max, begins his journey by searching for new sneakers in an online shop. He finds a few models he likes but isn't sure what size he needs. Max sees the option of checking the sneakers' availability in a nearby physical store.

📍 Phase Two: In the physical store 🏬

Max goes into the store and tries on the sneakers. Because the store is part of an omnichannel system, a sales associate recognizes Max's online behavior via customer management software. The associate can therefore provide Max with targeted advice and show him other products that match his online search queries.

💳 The purchase: Flexibility is key 🔄

Max decides on a pair of sneakers but wants to buy them online to use a discount code that's only valid there. No problem! With omnichannel retail, it's a breeze. Max buys the sneakers online and selects the "Pick up in store" option.

📦 After your purchase: Customer service and returns 🔄

After purchasing the product, Max receives a notification about the shipping status of his order. He can choose to have the order delivered to his home or pick it up in the store. If there are any problems or he wants to exchange the size, he can either return the product online or directly in the store.

💡 Customer loyalty through personalized offers 🎯

Thanks to the collected data on Max's purchasing behavior both online and offline, the retailer can send him personalized offers and recommendations tailored to his tastes and needs.

🎉 Conclusion: A seamless experience 🌟

Omnichannel allows Max to seamlessly switch between online and offline channels without losing context. All his interactions with the brand are interconnected and enrich his shopping experience.

In an omnichannel model, it's not just the product that's being sold, but the entire experience surrounding the purchase. That's the key to customer retention and long-term loyalty – if it works.

Omnichannel strategies are an ideal many companies strive for, but implementation is complex and fraught with challenges. Here are some of the most common problems:

🔍 Lack of data integration 📊

Often, the various channels (online, offline, mobile, social media, etc.) are not fully integrated. This leads to fragmented and incomplete customer data. The end result is a broken customer experience.

🤖 Technological limitations ⚙️

Omnichannel requires modern, flexible technology. However, many companies are still working with outdated systems that are not designed for today's connected retail needs.

👥 Inadequate staff training 🎓

Employees must be able to use the omnichannel model effectively. This requires training and retraining, which in turn costs time and money.

💸 High costs and complex implementation 🏗️

Omnichannel solutions can be expensive to purchase and complicated to implement. This is particularly off-putting for smaller companies.

🎭 Inconsistent brand communication 📝

If communication between channels is not consistent, it can lead to confusion and mistrust among customers.

⏲️ Time factor ⌛

Implementing an omnichannel strategy is time-consuming, and the ROI (Return on Investment) is often only visible in the medium to long term.

🔄 Resistance to change 🚫

Many companies exhibit a natural inertia or even resistance to change. This can significantly hinder the implementation of an effective omnichannel strategy.

📋 Lack of strategy and vision 👓

Without a clear omnichannel strategy and vision, companies can easily lose focus and waste resources.

🤝 Customer acceptance and behavior change 🧠

Customers also need to get used to the new model and adjust their behavior accordingly. This isn't always easy and often requires incentives from the company.

🌐 Global and local requirements 🌍

Companies operating internationally must take into account the specific requirements and expectations of different markets, which increases complexity.

Despite these challenges, the value of a well-implemented omnichannel strategy remains undeniable. Companies that successfully overcome these hurdles are better positioned for long-term success and customer loyalty.

🎯 The dilemma of anonymity at discount stores 🤷‍♀️

An interesting phenomenon observed in discount stores is the anonymity of their customers. Since most customers are rarely members of a loyalty program, discount stores often don't know who their customers actually are. This poses a significant problem, especially when trying to enter the hybrid market characterized by e-commerce and omnichannel marketing.

📊 Why customer data is so important 🤔

In the age of data, customer data is invaluable. It helps companies understand purchasing habits, create personalized offers, and develop effective marketing strategies. Especially in the hybrid market, where e-commerce and omnichannel strategies dominate, customer data is crucial for success.

🚨 The pitfalls of the omnichannel approach 💣

It's obvious that discount retailers haven't fully thought through the omnichannel approach when they jumped into e-commerce. They're entering an already saturated market, hoping to compensate for the sales losses they previously believed they'd lost to online competition in their physical stores. Without a clear omnichannel strategy, however, this is doomed to failure.

Furthermore, most e-commerce systems are not smart enough to handle the hybrid scenario. In fact, we are only aware of one (!!!) system that even makes this possible.

🚀 The path to the future: V-Commerce and Omnichannel 🌐

Discount retailers should recognize the signs of the times and invest in V-commerce and omnichannel strategies. Virtual shops, augmented reality, and the integration of different sales channels can significantly improve customer loyalty and the customer experience.

📑 Conclusion 🎯

To succeed in the hybrid market, discount retailers need to understand their anonymous customers. By using modern technologies and strategies, they can not only learn more about their clientele but also adapt their business model to today's demands. The challenges, opportunities, and possibilities associated with the 2D matrix code, which is scheduled for global rollout in 2027 .

📣 Similar topics

• 📈 How discount retailers can use the power of customer data
• 🛒 From Discount to Luxury: The Path to Customer Loyalty
• 📊 Data-Driven Marketing for Retailers
• 🎯 Why omnichannel is indispensable in retail
• 📱 The role of apps in customer loyalty
• 🌐 V-Commerce: The Future of Retail
• 🛍️ Why anonymity in retail is a problem
• 💳 Customer data and payment methods: A look behind the scenes
• 📍 Geolocation in retail: Opportunities and risks
• 🚀 How discounters can conquer the hybrid market

#️⃣ Hashtags: #VCommerce #Omnichannel #CustomerData #Discounter #HybridMarket

😎 A new era of e-commerce is dawning

V-commerce doesn't just sound futuristic, it is. The combination of e-commerce with virtual and augmented reality creates a completely new shopping experience that not only engages you but also excites you. If you imagine shopping in a virtual world where you can "touch" every product and view it from all angles, then you've arrived at V-commerce.

🛒 Omnichannel was yesterday, today it's V-Commerce 👽

The classic omnichannel concept is adopted here, but in an expanded and improved version. While omnichannel optimizes the shopping experience across multiple channels, V-Commerce takes it to a whole new level. Just think of the integration into the metaverse! A complete experience that encompasses not only shopping but also entertainment. Imagine attending concerts in a virtual world while simultaneously doing your shopping.

🎮 XR technologies & customer loyalty: The perfect duo 🤝

The use of XR technologies (which includes virtual and augmented reality) enables a new kind of customer engagement. Personalized avatars, interactive product presentations, or even virtual sales consultants could completely revolutionize the standard online shopping experience.

🛍️ 2D Matrix Code: The revolution is just around the corner 🔐

The 2D matrix code, which is scheduled for global rollout in 2027, is another highlight. This technology could ensure secure transactions and provide additional information about each product that would not be possible in a traditional e-commerce environment.

More about it here:

• Products in real life: See things and details that were previously hidden by packaging, outer carton or other obstructions!

📊 Conclusions and Outlook 🌈

The concept of V-commerce sounds very promising and could significantly influence your shopping behavior in the future. The technologies are there; they just need to be integrated in a meaningful and customer-friendly way. Above all, V-commerce offers an excellent opportunity to stand out from the competition and create truly unique customer loyalty.

📣 Similar topics

• 😎 The future of e-commerce: An insight into V-Commerce
• 🛒 V-Commerce vs. Omnichannel: What's the difference?
• 🎮 XR technologies in retail: The next revolution?
• 🛍️ Security and e-commerce: How the 2D matrix code is changing the game
• 🎉 The Metaverse as a shopping paradise: fiction or soon reality?
• 👽 Virtual worlds, real profit: The economy of the metaverse
• 🤝 Customer loyalty through XR: The next big step
• 📱 Mobile V-Commerce: The Role of Smartphones in Virtual Retail
• 🔐 Data protection in V-Commerce: What you need to know
• 🌈 V-Commerce: The end of the e-commerce world as we know it?

#️⃣ Hashtags: #VCommerce #Omnichannel #XRTechnologies #Metaverse #2DMatrixcode

The era of growth in German online retail has come to a halt, at least for now. For the past year, 2022, the 1,000 highest-grossing B2C online shops, which account for the majority of all B2C online retail in Germany, recorded a revenue decline of 2.8 percent (net, not adjusted for inflation). This corresponds to a decrease of €2.2 billion, bringing the total revenue to €77.7 billion compared to 2021, as shown by the results of the study "E-Commerce Market Germany 2023" by EHI and ecommerceDB. This marks the first time in the study's 15-year history that the continuous growth of online retail has come to a standstill.

“Some shops are struggling with significant revenue declines or are even appearing in this year’s study for the last time due to business closure. However, smaller shops in particular are showing strong relative growth in the new ranking. Overall, the revenue of the top 1,000 is 1.5 times higher than before the pandemic. For the current year, however, we at EHI expect the downward trend to continue,” explains Lars Hofacker, Head of E-Commerce Research at EHI, regarding the current situation.

E-commerce sales in Germany decline for the first time – Image: EHI Retail Institute

Smaller shops gain ground, market concentration decreases slightly

Following strong growth in the pandemic year of 2020 (33.1 percent), the top 1,000 companies still managed double-digit growth of 16.1 percent in 2021. In 2022, however, general consumer sentiment and thus the willingness to buy online in Germany weakened. Nevertheless, compared to pre-Covid figures (2019), this still results in growth of 50.2 percent.

The smaller B2C online shops in the bottom 500 of this year's ranking saw the strongest relative growth, at 7.3 percent, compared to the bottom 500 last year. The German e-commerce market remains highly concentrated, with the top 100 generating over 70 percent of the revenue of the top 1,000. Since the large online shops in particular are experiencing revenue declines, market concentration has decreased slightly: the net e-commerce revenue of this year's top 10 fell by 9.7 percent compared to last year's top 10, resulting in a market share of 38.2 percent, which is 2.9 percentage points lower than the previous year.

AboutYou in the top 10 for the first time

Top Ten online shops in Germany – Image: EHI Retail Institute

In the race for the top spots, aboutyou.de climbs into the top 10 with growth of 8.8 percent. As in the last 15 years, the ranking is led by amazon.de (with €14.4 billion) and otto.de (with €4.5 billion). Last year's fourth-place finisher, zalando.de (€2.6 billion), makes it onto the podium this time, pushing mediamarkt.de (€1.8 billion) into third place.

With shop.rewe.de and bestsecret.com, there are also two newcomers in the top 20. The biggest growth drivers here are apple.com (+18.2 percent), breuninger.com (+16.1 percent) and shop-apotheke.com (+15.9 percent).

Top 10 B2C Marketplaces

Furthermore, the study identifies for the first time the top 10 B2C marketplaces, which generated a revenue of €72.8 billion in 2022, representing a 2.4 percent decrease compared to the previous year. Market leader amazon.de maintains its leading position with a gross merchandise volume (GMV) of €46.3 billion, followed by ebay.de (€9.0 billion) and otto.de (€6.4 billion).

Top 3 marketplaces in Germany – Image: EHI Retail Institute

The study "E-Commerce Market Germany 2023" includes the top 1,000 data sets for the B2C online shops examined, as well as for the top 10 B2C marketplaces, and is available in the EHI shop. Additionally, the top 100 B2C online shops and top 5 B2C marketplaces are available as a free digital poster.

Definitions

B2C online shop

A place on the internet where end consumers can purchase goods from a company.

Pure B2C marketplace

A marketplace is an online space where consumers can purchase goods from more than one company. The operator of a purely B2C marketplace runs the platform but does not offer any goods for sale itself.

Hybrid B2C marketplace

A place on the internet where end consumers can purchase goods from more than one company. The provider of a hybrid B2C marketplace operates the platform and also offers goods for sale.

methodology

This study focuses on B2C online shops and pure and hybrid B2C marketplaces that offer physical goods. B2C online shops and pure and hybrid B2C marketplaces that generate their revenue exclusively or predominantly through apps were excluded. E-commerce gross merchandise volume (GMV) was considered for B2C marketplaces.

Source: Press release EHI Retail Institute – 27.09.2023

Xpert.Digital - Pioneer Business Development

Smart Glasses & KI - XR/AR/VR/MR industry expert

Consumer metaverse or meta -verse in general

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Konrad Wolfenstein

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