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~ Expandeco ~

of online purchases with still sufficiently large reserves for region cooperatively while maintaining their margin. This
growth. possibility is offered by Expandeco with its fully equipped
infrastructure, human resources and, of course, important local
Throughout 2020, a large number of online shops know-how.
experienced a shopping season comparable to the
Christmas one. Can we say how the epidemic has A common example is an online shop operating in English,
affected the growth of the CEE market and what possibly only offering the most widely used European
changes have taken place? What can we expect in the languages, but with the possibility of worldwide shipping. As
near future? e-commerce continues to grow, the question arises regarding
Quite naturally, the pandemic has contributed to the growth locating such e-commerce directly to all countries to which
of the e-commerce sector on a global scale. This was also the the brand can distribute its products. This enables them to get
case in the region of Central and Eastern Europe. We expect closer to other potential customers effectively and maximise
an increase in online business of about 30%, which is, however, their revenue. For example, just by correctly localising into
comparatively large growth in recent years in this European Polish, the online shop can significantly open up to almost 33
online environment. The beginning of the COVID-19 million internet users.
epidemic in March was accompanied by logistics problems and
extending the delivery time of orders. Online shops were thus What does cooperation with Expandeco look like
forced to deal with a situation comparable to the Christmas in practice? What will remain fully within the com-
season, for which online entrepreneurs normally start preparing petence of the client and what can you encompass
in advance as early as September. locally?
We are a stable and progressive company. In the SaaS segment,
I assume that this year’s Christmas season will break new we are one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe.
records, which can reach a turnover increase of up to 50% Between 2015 and 2018 alone, our turnover increased by
compared to previous years. Therefore, it will be crucial, in 560%. The role of online shops is, in principle, only to store and
particular, to what extent companies can logistically prepare deliver goods according to orders placed. Expandeco can fully
for the fast and effective delivery of orders in cooperation with provide technology infrastructure, including choosing popular
courier companies. payment gateways, reliable courier companies, reverse logistics,
up-to-date legal and tax advice, and online marketing. We also
How does large-brand placement work in CEE have a well-established customer support network, taking into
countries only through the so-called marketplace? account cultural specificities. Thus, we can deal with complaints
The disadvantage of the CEE region is that marketplaces immediately in customers’ native languages.
are not yet established in this area in such a way that it is
possible to plan expansion exclusively through these platforms. We have an overview of the specifics of customer behaviour in
A possible solution and the basis for success for companies individual markets. For example, more than half of Ukrainians
expanding in CEE markets is, therefore, a logistics partner with who made an online purchase expect a return confirmation
local know-how and quality infrastructure. In my experience, of the order by phone from the online shop. Directly in a
particular country, we have also established our own reverse
“THE CEE MARKET IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DYNAMIC, warehouses, which is why we can check the goods and
WHICH CREATES A LOT OF SPACE FOR NEW BUSINESS immediately send the online shop information about their
OPPORTUNITIES AND, AT THE SAME TIME, CUSTOMERS status and reasons for returning them. Customers, on the other
hand, appreciate that they can return the goods to an address
ACCEPT CHANGES EASIER.” in their country and do not have to wait up to 12 days for
the mail to deliver the parcel to a warehouse in a completely
different country. In the case of long-term responses, concerns
the markets of Central and Eastern Europe are “low-hanging about whether they will get new goods or other refunds may
fruit” for Western European e-commerce. With relatively low arise, and trustworthiness towards the online shop is being
input costs, they can get a decent turnover. undermined.

What are the possibilities for a successful online shop In addition, we can also provide comprehensive website
that is considering expanding to other countries? translation and cover marketing activities in several markets
Why should it consider the CEE region in particular? simultaneously. I believe that marketing itself can best be done
Cooperation with Expandeco in the form of the e-commerce by a person who lives in a given country and knows his or
business model D2C (direct-to-consumer) can also be a way her domestic business environment and customer behaviour
to expand into our region. This creates an opportunity for thoroughly. ••
renowned brands in Western Europe in the long term to
expand their brand and the goods themselves to the CEE

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