Fashion is key category for cross-border online shopping - survey

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Oct 28, 2021

Consumers globally continue to shop across borders, despite complications caused by the pandemic all over the world and Brexit in the UK and Europe. A new study of more than 2,000 online shoppers in the UK, US, Germany and Australia suggests 57% have made at least one cross-border purchase in the last 12 months. 

And Clothing & Footwear are the products they’re most likely to order from e-commerce sites in other countries — followed by Sport, Hobbies, Leisure goods and Health & Beauty.

Some 43% of survey respondents that fulfilment specialist Logistyx Technologies spoke to agree or strongly agree that after being forced to shop online during lockdowns, they’re now more willing to consider cross-border e-commerce purchases. 

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That said, the majority also still have negative feelings about the shipping and delivery experience of cross-border shopping, with two-thirds assuming goods will arrive later than promised. And 59% think they’ll be hit with unexpected fees or duties, while 69% expect delivery charges to be higher. Worryingly, as many as 73% feel returning products will be more difficult. That’s an issue as it could cause people to think twice before ordering.

The research also suggested that the best tactics for e-tailers to encourage international online orders are offering free product returns (72%); making it easy for shoppers to track their orders online (71%); and being transparent about any additional duties or taxes that need to be paid (70%).

That’s especially the case as 59% of online shoppers say they’re less likely to give a company in another country a second chance if they make a mistake with their order.