Business Forum • 11 October, 2024 at 12:03 PM
Romania ranks third among EU member states in Central and Eastern Europe in terms of the value of e-commerce, after Poland and the Czech Republic, according to the European Ecommerce 2024 Report, commissioned by Ecommerce Europe and EuroCommerce and conducted by the Center for Market Research at the University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam.
According to the report, in 2023, Romanian e-commerce of goods and services reached €10.6 billion, representing 3.32% of GDP, up from the previous year (3.17% of GDP). This underlines the resilience and adaptability of the Romanian ecommerce sector, which has become a main pillar of the digital economy.
There is significant potential for expansion in the adoption of online shopping, with 50% of the population making at least one online purchase in 2023. This statistic points to major opportunities for the development of the ecommerce sector, attracting the interest of more and more companies, both local and international.
For 2024, the report estimates that online sales of goods and services will grow to 10%, with the sector expected to reach €11.7 billion, equivalent to 3.42% of GDP. The percentage of the population shopping online is expected to reach 55%, reflecting the trend of digitalization and the growing preference of Romanian consumers for online commerce.
"Romania is on an upward trajectory in e-commerce, and ARMO is committed to accelerating this growth through strategic initiatives and collaborations with authorities to drive innovation and digital adoption. Romania's outlook for the future is optimistic, thanks to rapid digitalization and the development of our country's logistics infrastructure, which facilitates fast and efficient domestic and international deliveries. We aim to strengthen our country's position as a regional leader in ecommerce," stated Cristi Movilă, president of the Romanian Association of Online Shops (ARMO).
The report highlights the return of Europeans' appetite for online shopping. However, Europe faces challenges from competition from non-EU merchants. Ecommerce Europe underlines in a separate letter the need for measures at European level to ensure a level playing field for all e-commerce players.