In 2019, market research revealed that the UK’s international commerce is predicted to be four times bigger than domestic trade in 2020. The analysis contained in PayPal’s report stated that cross-border retail is expected to reach £28 billion.

According to cbcommerce, 80% of non-EU retailers’ cross-border commerce was also generated on marketplaces. Amazon is the primary marketplace reaping the rewards, boasting a market-leading £27 billion revenue in 2018. Even on a worldwide scale, trends are indicating that cross-border selling is far too valuable to ignore. 

Delving deeper into the findings reveals that local relevance and customer trust is particularly vital to creating longevity and growth in the world’s largest e-commerce markets. Through the connectivity and unlimited access to marketplaces, UK merchants are able to expand into new markets such as the United States, China, and Germany.

Several factors have created the market conditions for the UK’s success. Ranking third worldwide for cross-border shopping, UK sellers are in second place in Chinese and US markets and lead the market in Germany based on the percentage of total items purchased.

What’s the secret?

Tracking user shopping patterns helps to serve content and products to customers through the correct platforms. In China, direct marketplace browsing generates 32% of total traffic for UK sellers, replacing the popularity of search engines that dominate the US and German markets. It is worth noting that China’s e-commerce systems are vastly different from the similarities found in Western markets.

Direct traffic to storefronts generated from typing the address in browsers is also popular with users, showing the value of branding and positive customer experiences contributing to repeat purchases. Studying each market is essential to creating an effective plan for international growth, focusing on delivering a personalised service for overseas shoppers that replicates domestic experiences. Studying local cultures and trends can help with selecting services and products that will interest shoppers. 

Managing international marketplaces can be a difficult challenge for sellers of all sizes. At ACTIV8, we specialise in providing a tailored service for all e-commerce requirements. We also recommend using tools such as Amazon’s Build International Listings (BIL) for automating pricing and offers across multiple marketplaces. For eBay sellers, the Title Builder tool is effective for optimising all listings and boosting SEO rankings.

Contact us for more information on establishing international stores and tailored e-commerce solutions.