Packeta Romania: Logistics and Shipping Costs are the Main Challenges for Romanian Online Stores When Selling Internationally

Logistics and transportation costs are the major challenges faced by Romanian online stores when selling products abroad, according to the latest survey by Packeta Romania, a global digital platform for e-commerce and a member of Packeta Group. Therefore, support in optimizing the supply chain and reducing costs associated with international shipping is crucial.

The survey, the first of its kind conducted by Packeta Romania among a network of over 1,800 online stores and partner sellers, highlights the challenges faced by Romanian online stores aiming to expand their business internationally, their expectations, and the strategies online shops adopt to access other markets.

The list of challenges is completed by concerns about international competition, understanding regulations and adapting to the legal and financial norms of the countries in which they want to expand their business.

Accordingly, over 50% of the responding online stores believe that the most useful support they can receive in the expansion process is logistical, followed by strategic consulting and legal and compliance assistance. In this context, support in navigating international regulations, including customs rules and local legal requirements, is essential to avoid potential fines and to operate efficiently.

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“The survey results clearly indicate that to succeed in international expansion, online stores need more than just a courier service. Merchants want a solid partner and partnership that includes competitive pricing, on-time deliveries and efficient return solutions. And through this survey, over two-thirds (67.5%) of our partners confirmed this to us, citing the critical importance of partnering with courier companies for the success of international expansion. Therefore, we dedicate ourselves to continuously adjust our services, to ensure that each partner receives the logistical support necessary to successfully navigate the global markets”, says Alexandr Jeleascov, Managing Director at Packeta Romania.

Why the Number of Online Stores Choosing to Sell Products Internationally Is Increasing

Romanian online stores are willing to invest time and resources in establishing a presence in the markets they are expanding into, not seeking immediate gains but focusing on long-term business operations. This behaviour occurs in a context where companies face saturation in the local market, and accessing larger markets is perceived as a significant growth opportunity.

According to the Packeta Romania survey, the main reasons for expanding business internationally include:

More than half (52%) of online stores aiming to expand their presence abroad consider themselves fully prepared to enter foreign markets, while 40% believe they are partially prepared, with improvements needed in internationalization strategies and better planning of this process.

Online stores adopt various strategies to make their presence felt in international markets. Adapting the current website to meet the specific requirements of each new market is a preferred approach by 43% of merchants, while 45% of online stores choose to sell through existing marketplace platforms. Both methods reflect a pragmatic approach, balancing initial investments with the flexibility needed for rapid adaptation.

The Volume of Cross-Border Deliveries Doubles in 2024

Packeta Romania recorded a doubling in the volume of parcels processed from the cross-border segment in 2023, compared to the previous year, amid significant growth in demand for international deliveries.

The growth in demand occurred amid the continuous expansion of Romanian online stores to foreign markets and the entry, in recent years, into the local market of international brands and marketplaces.

Last year, 70% of online stores that used the services of Packeta Romania also opted for expanding their international deliveries, mainly targeting countries in the vicinity of Romania, the Balkan region, and other European countries with significant Romanian communities. Integrating Packeta Romania’s services with local and international platforms and marketplaces, significantly accelerated the process of expanding international deliveries for Romanian online stores. And partnerships and good collaboration with more than 70 international carriers have had a significant impact in reducing times and costs of international delivery.

Optimizing delivery processes and offering various options, such as pick-up points for sending, picking up or returning parcels, delivery to the customer’s address and delivery in lockers, adapted to individual customer preferences, also contributed to the growth recorded last year.

For 2024, on the cross-border segment, Packeta Romania anticipates a growth similar to that recorded last year. Additionally, optimizing processes and reducing delivery times, implementing artificial intelligence solutions and automation, which can revolutionize logistical processes and increase competition in this industry, will favour the expansion of cross-border commerce.