73% Belgian consumers never return orders

Greater than seven out of ten Belgian consumers never (or almost never) return items that they’ve ordered online. It is because they only order items that they wish to keep. Belgians are ordering online more often, with 40 percent of all purchases happening online.

Ecommerce in Belgium has grown steadily over time. In 2023, consumers within the country spent 16.3 billion euros online. This was a rise of 10.7 percent in comparison with a 12 months earlier.

In keeping with a consumer report from logistics software provider Descartes, 40 percent of all purchases in Belgium occur online. That is higher than a 12 months earlier, when the share was still 33 percent.

Online shopping due to pricing

But why do Belgians increasingly decide to shop at online stores? The Belgian Online Shopper Survey, released by ecommerce federation Becom, says that Belgians shop online due to they’ll compare product prices (37 percent). And 1 in 3 said that they shop online since it is cheaper. One other 30 percent said that they’ll find higher discounts online.

85% of Belgian web shoppers find it very necessary that online stores incorporate sustainable practices

When selecting an internet seller, Belgians find pricing necessary. That features transparency and discounts. Additionally they want online shops to supply data protection, in addition to a secure payment environment with multiple payment methods. But in line with the report, 85 percent of Belgian web shoppers find it (probably the most) necessary that an internet shop incorporates sustainability in its business.

Sustainable online stores

In keeping with the respondents, a sustainable online store focuses on efficient shipping (44 percent), has a pickup point (40 percent), uses sustainable, environmentally friendly packaging (35 percent), offers sustainable services or products (33 percent), and recycles old products (33 percent).

Low return rates

Considered one of the foremost issues in sustainability and online shopping, is the quantity of returned items. Most of this stuff find yourself in landfills or are incinerated, contributing heavily to greenhouse gas emissions.

64% of Belgian web shoppers that always buy fashion, never return their items

It appears that evidently Belgian consumers are willing to contribute to a more sustainable ecommerce market, as 73 percent of them never or almost never return items. The style sector is well-known for its high return rates, but in line with the report, 64 percent of Belgian web shoppers who often buy fashion items, (almost) never return them.