Belgian web shops are moving their logistics operations to the Netherlands more often because it is cheaper here and they encounter fewer obstacles. Trade federation Comeos therefore calls for measures to reform logistics in Belgium.
Barriers in Belgium
Belgian e-commerce is quite on the rise. Last year, online sales rose by 15 per cent to 5.62 billion euros. However, online retailers are increasingly diverting to the Netherlands and other neighbouring countries because they encounter all kinds of obstacles in Belgium. For instance, labour costs in Belgium are 20 per cent higher than in the Netherlands. Moreover, night work is not allowed in logistics. So online retailers are not allowed to prepare orders at night. As a result, deliveries take on average two days longer than in the Netherlands.
Lost revenue
Last year, 42 per cent of what Belgians spent online went abroad. This includes foreign online shops, but also Belgian retailers operating from abroad. As a result, Belgium lost out on 2.4 billion euros. Compared with 2012, that represents an increase of 71 per cent.
Measures
Comeos is therefore calling for the ban on night work to be lifted. During peak periods, it should be possible to deploy staff more flexibly. In addition, the federation wants labour costs to fall by 25 per cent.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
