Logistics and transportation costs are the major challenges faced by Romanian online stores when selling products abroad, according to the latest survey by Packeta Romania, a digital platform for e-commerce. Therefore, support in optimizing the supply chain and reducing costs associated with international shipping is crucial.
The survey, the first of its kind conducted by Packeta Romania among a network of over 1,800 online stores and partner sellers, highlights the challenges faced by Romanian online stores aiming to expand their business internationally, their expectations, and the strategies online shops adopt to access other markets.
The list of challenges is completed by concerns about international competition, understanding regulations and adapting to the legal and financial norms of the countries in which they want to expand their business.
Accordingly, over 50% of the responding online stores believe that the most useful support they can receive in the expansion process is logistical, followed by strategic consulting and legal and compliance assistance. In this context, support in navigating international regulations, including customs rules and local legal requirements, is essential to avoid potential fines and to operate efficiently.
“The survey results clearly indicate that to succeed in international expansion, online stores need more than just a courier service. Merchants want a solid partner and partnership that includes competitive pricing, on-time deliveries and efficient return solutions. And through this survey, over two-thirds (67.5%) of our partners confirmed this to us, citing the critical importance of partnering with courier companies for the success of international expansion. Therefore, we dedicate ourselves to continuously adjust our services, to ensure that each partner receives the logistical support necessary to successfully navigate the global markets”, says Alexandr Jeleascov, Managing Director at Packeta Romania.
Why the Number of Online Stores Choosing to Sell Products Internationally Is Increasing
Romanian online stores are willing to invest time and resources in establishing a presence in the markets they are expanding into, not seeking immediate gains but focusing on long-term business operations. This behaviour occurs in a context where companies face saturation in the local market, and accessing larger markets is perceived as a significant growth opportunity.
According to the Packeta Romania survey, the main reasons for expanding business internationally include:
Access to an expanded market – almost 70% of merchants see this as a decisive factor, as international expansion offers a way to overcome the limitations of the domestic market by accessing unexplored customer segments, thus maximizing revenues and establishing a long-term sustainable presence;
Constant demand: indicated by 20% of respondents, robust international demand opens new directions for sales and profit.
More than half (52%) of online stores aiming to expand their presence abroad consider themselves fully prepared to enter foreign markets, while 40% believe they are partially prepared, with improvements needed in internationalization strategies and better planning of this process.
Online stores adopt various strategies to make their presence felt in international markets. Adapting the current website to meet the specific requirements of each new market is a preferred approach by 43% of merchants, while 45% of online stores choose to sell through existing marketplace platforms. Both methods reflect a pragmatic approach, balancing initial investments with the flexibility needed for rapid adaptation.
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