Romania ranks 3rd among EU member states in Central and Eastern Europe in terms of e-commerce value, following Poland and the Czech Republic, according to the 2024 European Ecommerce Report commissioned by Ecommerce Europe and EuroCommerce and conducted by the Market Research Center of the University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam.
According to the report, in 2023, Romanian e-commerce for goods and services reached a value of €10.6 billion, representing 3.32% of GDP, an increase from the previous year (3.17% of GDP). This growth highlights the resilience and adaptability of Romania’s e-commerce sector, which has become a key pillar of the digital economy.
There is significant potential for expansion in online shopping adoption, with 50% of the population making at least one online purchase in 2023. This statistic indicates major opportunities for the development of the e-commerce sector, attracting growing interest from both local and international companies.
For 2024, the report estimates a nearly 10% increase in online sales of goods and services, with the sector expected to reach €11.7 billion, equivalent to 3.42% of GDP. The percentage of the population shopping online is projected to rise to 55%, reflecting the ongoing trend toward digitalization and the increasing preference of Romanian consumers for online commerce.
“Romania is on an upward trajectory in the field of e-commerce, and ARMO is dedicated to accelerating this growth through strategic initiatives and collaborations with authorities to drive innovation and digital adoption. Romania’s future prospects are optimistic, thanks to rapid digitalization and the development of our country’s logistics infrastructure, which enables fast and efficient deliveries both nationally and internationally. We aim to strengthen our country’s position as a regional leader in e-commerce,” said Cristi Movilă, President of the Romanian Association of Online Stores (ARMO).
The report highlights the resurgence of Europeans’ appetite for online shopping. However, Europe faces challenges related to competition from non-EU retailers. Ecommerce Europe emphasizes in a separate letter the need for European-level measures to ensure a fair playing field for all players in the e-commerce sector.