Marketplaces

Electronic commerce in Portugal

A historical overview of e-commerce in Portugal, its main categories, challenges and opportunities for growth.

Article title: e-commerce in Portugal
Article originally published by Sitelicon on November 21, 2023.

In brief

Key ideas

  • E-commerce in Portugal experienced significant growth, driven by Internet access and confidence in online purchase.
  • In this article, we will explore some of the key aspects of e-commerce in Portugal, including the market, challenges and opportunities.
  • Although smaller than other European markets, it presented opportunities for businesses capable of adapting to the local consumer.
  • According to a report by the Portuguese Electronic Commerce Association (APCE), e-commerce in Portugal increased by 12% in 2020, reaching EUR 7.3 billion.

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Context

E-commerce in Portugal has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by increased Internet penetration and greater confidence in online purchasing by consumers. In this article, we will explore some of the key aspects of e-commerce in Portugal, including the market, challenges and opportunities.

E-commerce market in Portugal

The e-commerce market in Portugal is relatively small compared to other European countries, such as Germany or the United Kingdom, but is constantly growing. According to a report by the Portuguese Electronic Commerce Association (APCE), e-commerce in Portugal increased by 12% in 2020, reaching EUR 7.3 billion.

Among the most popular product categories in e-commerce in Portugal are electronic products, fashion items, books, games and toys. In addition, services such as travel and accommodation reservation are also popular.

Challenges of e-commerce in Portugal

One of the main challenges of e-commerce in Portugal is the low penetration of the Internet in some areas of the country, especially in rural areas. Eurostat data show that 21.9% of the Portuguese population do not use the Internet.

Moreover, although most Portuguese consumers are willing to buy online, there is still some mistrust in Internet purchases due to the possibility of fraud and the lack of transparency in some transactions.

Opportunities in e-commerce in Portugal

Despite these challenges, e-commerce in Portugal offers many opportunities for companies seeking to expand on the Portuguese market. One of the greatest advantages of e-commerce is their ability to overcome geographical barriers, which allows businesses to reach consumers throughout the country.

In addition, the COVID19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of e-commerce in Portugal, leading to an increase in demand for delivery and logistics services.

Sitelicon Ecommerce Services is a company specialized in helping brands and manufacturers in the online sale of their products, since 2005.

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