Bol attracts sellers from the EU: New online sales opportunities in the Netherlands and Belgium

The Dutch marketplace platform Bol, a leader in the e-commerce market in the Netherlands and Belgium, is opening up wider to sellers from across the European Union. This dynamic move by Bol is a response to the growing need to expand its product range and provide even more choice for millions of active customers. For entrepreneurs from Poland and other European countries, this presents a unique opportunity to expand into markets with strong growth potential.

Growing e-commerce market in the Netherlands and Belgium

The e-commerce market in the Netherlands is among the top European leaders in online retail, ranking in the top ten on the continent and 20th globally. The projected value of the e-commerce market in the Netherlands in 2024 is €30.5 billion, and it is expected to grow to €47.5 billion by 2029, representing an annual growth rate of 9.31%.

The Dutch are exceptionally active online shoppers—by 2023, 93% of the population made purchases online, the highest rate in Europe. The increasing popularity of online shopping coincides with the growth in the number of online stores, which has now surpassed the number of physical retail locations. Currently, there are 84,100 online stores operating in the Netherlands, while the number of traditional retail outlets stands at 82,100. In just the last year, the number of online stores has increased by 4.1%.
This dynamic development of online shopping and the rise in the number of online stores is closely linked to the growth of the courier, express, and parcel (CEP) market in the Netherlands. The market value is expected to reach €8.2 billion by the end of 2024 and grow to €11 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 4.95%. This indicates an increasing volume of shipments, with 932 million parcels handled in 2022, up from 654 million in 2021.

Belgium, while primarily known as the home of significant institutions such as the European Union and NATO, harbors substantial, yet still untapped, e-commerce potential. Online sales in Belgium are projected to reach $7.1 billion in 2023, placing the country 39th globally in terms of e-commerce market size. However, future forecasts indicate rapid growth—the Belgian e-commerce market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.42% until 2027, with projected revenues of $7.6 billion in 2024.

With the increase in online sales, there is also a growing demand for courier and parcel services. In Belgium, the volume of shipments quadrupled over the decade (2010-2020), and forecasts for the coming years point to further development in this sector. To fully capitalize on the opportunities offered by the Belgian market, companies must collaborate with the right carriers and provide logistics solutions that meet the rising expectations of consumers.

As the e-commerce market develops dynamically in both the Netherlands and Belgium, Bol becomes the natural choice for sellers looking to enter these rapidly growing markets.

New facilitation for European sellers

One of Bol’s key advantages is the simplification of the registration process for sellers from across the EU. Previously, entrepreneurs wishing to sell on this platform had to have a registered business in the Netherlands or Belgium. This requirement has now been lifted, meaning sellers from any EU country can directly start selling their products on Bol without relocating their business.

Restrictions on customer service have also been reduced. Previously, sellers had to offer telephone support in Dutch, which was a barrier for foreign companies. Now, English support is possible, making it easier to communicate with international customers and making the platform more accessible for sellers outside the Netherlands and Belgium.

Another facilitation is the flexibility regarding logistics. Products sold on Bol must be delivered to customers within a maximum of eight working days; however, sellers are not required to ship directly from the Netherlands or Belgium. Additionally, the platform offers its logistics services, significantly streamlining the entire process and giving sellers greater control over shipping and delivery times.

Why sell on Bol?

Bol stands out as a local leader in the Dutch and Belgian markets, achieving a value of goods sold through the platform of €5.8 billion in 2023. This impressive figure, combined with a vast customer base, makes Bol one of the best platforms to begin international sales in the region.

The platform provides sellers with numerous sales support tools, including extensive marketing and advertising options. This allows entrepreneurs to promote their products to a wide audience, increasing their chances of success. An essential aspect of Bol’s offering is direct support for sellers, enabling quick resolution of issues related to operating on the platform.

Bol also offers Fulfillment by Bol (FbB), a comprehensive logistics service that includes both warehousing and delivery of products to customers in the Netherlands and Belgium. Utilizing this service allows sellers to streamline the entire sales process and improve customer service quality, which is particularly important in the dynamic e-commerce market.

Requirements for sellers

Despite the numerous facilitations, Bol still requires sellers to meet specific criteria. Products offered on the platform must fit supported categories and possess EAN or ISBN numbers. Meeting customer service standards is also crucial—sellers must respond to customer inquiries within 24 hours and provide a return option for products within 30 days of purchase.

An additional requirement, which may pose a challenge for some companies, is the necessity to achieve a minimum turnover of €500,000 within the first 12 months of operation on the platform. Meeting this threshold can be difficult, especially for companies just starting in a new market; however, it also opens up opportunities for dynamic growth and expansion into foreign markets.

Opportunities for sellers from Poland and Europe

Bol’s expansion to the entire EU opens enormous opportunities for sellers from Poland and other countries. Poland is one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in Europe, and entrepreneurs from this country are increasingly looking for ways to expand internationally. Thanks to simplified registration rules and numerous sales support tools, Bol represents an excellent platform for introducing Polish products to the markets of the Netherlands and Belgium.

The recent changes in Bol’s policy, such as the removal of the requirement for a registered business in the Netherlands and the possibility of customer support in English, make entering these markets significantly easier. Polish entrepreneurs have the opportunity to leverage sales potential while benefiting from the extensive logistics and marketing tools offered by the platform.

Summary

Bol, as a leading marketplace in the Netherlands and Belgium, opens new opportunities for sellers from across the European Union, including Poland. The dynamically developing e-commerce market in this region, along with simplified registration and customer service rules, makes Bol an ideal platform for the international growth of businesses. Sellers who choose to partner with Bol gain access to millions of potential customers, as well as numerous tools supporting sales, logistics, and marketing.

If you are considering expanding into the Dutch and Belgian markets and want to quickly fulfill all the formalities that will enable you to start selling abroad, contact us. We will assist you throughout the process so you can focus on growing your business.