Czech E-commerce Growth Fastest in EU

According to Eurostat, the Czech Republic is experiencing the largest online shopping boom of any EU country. During the Covid-19 crisis the Czech Republic became one of Europe’s leading e-commerce powerhouses. Only the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Ireland have greater percentages of residents shopping online.

The percentage of people shopping online in the Czech Republic is growing the most among all EU countries. According to the Czech Association for Electronic Commerce, in 2020 the country’s e-commerce market was worth just over $9 billion. This reflects overall growth of about 27% vs. 2019, with 29% growth in the fashion sector, 28% in electronics, and 23% in toys, hobbies and DIY.

The mentality of the Czech consumer

The latest data indicates that the Czech online consumer does not just look for low prices – they also appreciate convenience and the ability to compare goods. These preferences translate into strong overall growth in the e-commerce space.

According to Ecommerce News, of the 10 million Czech residents nearly 6 million shop online. User penetration in this market was 54% in 2020 and is predicted to reach 65% by 2025.

Big players

The biggest player in the Czech e-commerce market is alza.cz. The online store had revenues of US$1.2 billion in 2021. It is followed by rohlik.cz and mall.cz with revenues of US$308 million and US$280 million, respectively. These top three online stores account for 35% of online revenue in the country.

One of the fastest-growing e-commerce sites in the Czech market is zalando-lounge.cz. The store achieved sales of about US$19.4 million in 2021, up 167% vs the previous year.

Czech Republic - a strategic logistics location

“The Czech Republic’s location at the heart of Europe makes it a convenient entry point to major transportation corridors. From a logistical point of view, the border city of Ostrava plays a strategic role in Czech e-commerce. It is the third largest city in the country and is known as the "Gate of the Czech Republic." There are numerous logistic centers and warehouses to handle goods arriving in or departing from the country,” says Tatyana Serikova, AsstrA Prague Branch Manager.

“E-commerce companies in Czech Republic are developing dynamically and are looking for reliable logistics partners. As an international transport and logistics service provider, AsstrA-Associated Traffic AG helps its partners provide tailor-made logistics services,” concludes Tatyana Serikova.