Ecommerce growth accelerates in emerging European markets, but physical stores are still favored by consumers

Emerging ecommerce markets, such as Italy and Spain, have grown above trend and have seen a lasting effect as a result of the pandemic, while developed markets have returned to trend, according to CBRE.

The growth in emerging ecommerce markets has been driven by the rapid acceleration of technology adoption and infrastructure improvements. Between 2019 and 2022, total occupied logistics stock in Spain grew by 29 percent, the largest increase of the key European ecommerce markets. In addition to the expansion of distribution infrastructure, the growth of parcel lockers and collection points has made it more convenient for consumers to collect online purchases.

Alongside Italy and Spain, the top six ecommerce markets in Europe include the mature markets of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands and collectively, these markets account for 72 percent of total European ecommerce spend, according to the report.

However, there are vast differences in