Cross-border commerce vs re-commerce - which trend is better to jump in? eCommerce News No. 79

The first Press Release of September is here! As always, we've prepared a roundup of the three most interesting news stories from the industry. In this edition, you'll read about Ikea's new marketplace for selling used furniture. You'll also find the latest reports and analyses on the state of the market, and discover why eCommerce is one of the fastest-growing industries in Poland. Read on and uncover the drivers behind this sector's rapid growth!

Ikea Preowned: a new marketplace for selling used furniture

The trend of re-commerce—buying and selling second-hand products online—is gaining momentum. Recently, Ikea, the world’s largest furniture retailer, joined this movement by launching its own marketplace for used goods.

The platform, called Ikea Preowned, is currently available only in Madrid and Oslo. However, according to the company's plans, it will expand to other locations worldwide by December 2024.

Most Ikea products can find a new owner through this marketplace, with a few exceptions, such as mattresses. The platform’s interface closely resembles Ikea's traditional online store, making it easy to use for both sellers and buyers. Selling on the platform is highly intuitive - simply add a description and photos of the product. Artificial intelligence will then automatically enhance the information, making the listing even more appealing. Once a product is sold, users can choose to receive their earnings in cash or as an Ikea gift card, worth 115% of the value of the sold items.

Although the platform is currently free to use, Ikea may introduce small fees in the future. However, the main purpose of creating a marketplace is to promote sustainability and a closed-loop economy, not to generate additional profits.

Where and what to sell to succeed abroad? IdoSell Report

Shopping in foreign online stores is becoming increasingly popular not only among Poles but also among consumers from other countries who are increasingly choosing Polish e-shops. Cross-border commerce is gaining significance, as confirmed by the IdoSell report titled "Cross-border from Poland." (originally titled: “Cross-border z Polski”). The report reveals, among other things, that:

• customers from Germany (73%), Spain (66%), and France (27%) are the most frequent buyers in Polish eCommerce. Interest is also growing among consumers from Lithuania, Romania, and the Czech Republic.
• the most popular items include pet products, automotive equipment, clothing, and electronic accessories.

In addition to cross-border trade statistics, the report offers a range of tips for entrepreneurs planning to expand into foreign markets. It highlights key aspects such as:

• understanding international regulations and legal requirements,
• personalising offers and tailoring them to local consumer preferences,
• utilizing modern technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, which enable quick translation of offers, among other things.

The growth of cross-border commerce is becoming a key trend in Polish eCommerce. As the IdoSell report indicates, success in foreign markets depends on the ability to adapt to local regulations, understand consumer preferences, and effectively leverage modern technologies.

Online commerce becomes the 4th most popular industry in Poland

In Poland, an average of 20 new online stores are registered every day, and by the end of 2024, their total number could exceed 70,000. eCommerce has now become the fourth fastest-growing industry in the country, and there are no signs that this dynamic growth will slow down. These conclusions come from a market analysis conducted on behalf of the Scandinavian marketplace Coolshop, which recently debuted in Poland.

What else did the study reveal?

• The average online store in Poland generates an annual revenue of around 8 million PLN, with an average net profit of approximately 250,000 PLN.
• In the first half of 2024, 7,200 new eCommerce companies were registered, while 3,900 online stores were simultaneously closed.
• Medium-sized companies, with annual revenues between 10 and 250 million PLN, are in the best financial condition - 88% of them are in good or very good shape.
• The greatest challenges are faced by young companies with annual revenues below 10 million PLN - 52% of them struggle with financial difficulties.

Poland's eCommerce sector is growing at an incredibly dynamic pace, with the number of new online stores increasing every year. Although it is one of the fastest-growing industries, achieving success requires a deep understanding of the market’s specifics and the challenges of running an online business. Key factors include market adaptation, competition analysis, and effective financial management, especially for young and smaller companies that often face difficulties. Awareness of these factors is crucial for long-term success in the eCommerce industry.

Want to learn more? Check this out:

Ikea Preowned's first steps on the market
IdoSell report entitled: “Cross-border report from Poland”
Analysis of the condition of the Polish eCommerce industry