During the coronavirus crisis, Dutch consumers ordered and returned a record number of items, but now that things are looking a bit awkward, more and more companies are asking for money for shipping and returns. This is evident from an inventory by pricing consultancy Simon-Kucher.
But not everyone agrees with this conclusion. According to Valantic e-commerce expert Jurjen Jongejan, the consequences of the corona crisis are not necessarily the end of free shipping. “I think online retailers will take a close look at their profitability after the coronavirus, but this is certainly not the end of free shipping and free returns,” he says. “Online shopkeepers expected that people would shop online as much after the corona virus as during the corona virus, but this prognosis is disappointing.”
Jongejan notes that Dutch consumers more often want a physical shopping experience. “So the growth in online sales has leveled off,” she continues. And so they look at their profitability. Shipping and return costs have always been a tool to play with the turnover margin’.
Great players
He also points out that big companies like Coolblue, bol.com and Picnic have free delivery in their proposal. So I don’t expect them to change that. (…). Businesses ultimately just look at the impact shipping and return costs have on their conversion, they measure it every time, so it’s also an experiment. Because if the same item is available elsewhere with free shipping, the consumer will buy elsewhere.’
Source: BNR
Andrew Dwight is an author and economy journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of financial markets and a passion for analyzing economic trends and news. With a talent for breaking down complex economic concepts into easily understandable terms, Andrew has become a respected voice in the field of economics journalism.
