As a seller, you really can’t ignore it anymore, the e-commerce market keeps growing and the country borders are blurring more and more. Consumers care less and less whether a product comes from their own country or abroad; a nice product or good price is much more important. As a result, more and more sellers are engaging in cross border e-commerce.
What is cross border e-commerce really?
Cross border e-commerce means that a retailer does not sell products only within its own country. The products are also sold outside the country’s borders. Worldwide, about 25% of orders take place through cross-border e-commerce. The main reasons for placing an order abroad are lower prices, larger selection or a specific product not available elsewhere.
So as a seller, you can take full advantage of the opportunity for a much larger market. Yet cross border e-commerce does not always turn out to be as simple as first thought. In fact, logistical problems are an annoying problem that many salespeople face. From Vareya, we can help you well with that which allows us to take these worries out of your hands.
Cross border logistics for sales abroad
When you as a salesperson start selling to foreign countries, it is important to also think carefully about the logistics of this process. One convenient way to tackle the logistics process is with the help of an e-fulfilment center. In a previous blog, you can read all about what e-fulfilment is and how it can contribute to the smooth logistics process of cross border e-commerce. Of course, there are many other questions that may come to mind regarding cross border logistics. We’re happy to go over some of them with you.
How will I store my stock?
In most cases, companies start selling to foreign countries from the Netherlands, therefore in the beginning the stock will also be stored in the Netherlands. Over time, when you begin to notice that certain countries are running well, you can choose to store (part of) your stock there. An e-fulfilment partner is a good option in this, as they possess the knowledge and expertise about selling in other countries.
When you want to start storing inventory abroad for cross border logistics, it is a good idea to consider what products you want to do this for. After all, you don’t have to store your entire assortment locally right away; you can also choose to store part of your assortment.
What delivery options do I choose for cross border logistics?
If you choose to expand your existing sales market abroad, the carrier is also an important component. Most likely, you will choose to have the same carrier from the Netherlands carry your online orders abroad. To take the next step into the international sales market, it may actually be super useful to take a look at carriers. For example, switch shipping partners, or add multiple partners to make it even more attractive to consumers.
Amazon fulfillment as a valuable opportunity
If you are going to opt for cross border e-commerce, Amazon fulfillment is a great opportunity that you should definitely not overlook. Amazon fulfillment means that you can sell your products through this platform, often there are specific sales platforms in countries as well. In a previous blog, we talked a bit about Amazon fulfillment.
Amazon fulfillment can also be a good option if you would like to get started with cross border logistics but do not yet have sufficient knowledge of the market. By starting at a so-called marketplace, you get to know the market a lot better. You can then always set up a local webshop later.
