NEW E-COMMERCE STUDY BY NETCOMM SUISSE: 237 MILLION “SWISS PROMOTERS” WORLDWIDE – UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITIES IN EU AND NON-EU MARKETS

The latest edition includes the Country E-commerce Factor Index CEFI, where Switzerland ranks second. The study will be presented during the Internationalization Workshop & Hawaiian Networking Apéro at the Rackspace Headquarter in Zurich. The whole Event which lasts from 13:30 to 21:00, will focus on Internationalization and Scalability, with a unique opportunity for guests and associates to network over a Hawaiian apéro.

E-commerce survey in 10 countries

The report draws on data conducted in a survey in 5 European countries as well as in New York, Korea, Shanghai, Tokyo and Moscow/St.Petersburg. Foreign consumers continue to appreciate Swiss online shopping for its high quality of products, trustworthiness, payment security, and suppliers’ reliability. The research identifies 237 million individual promoters of Switzerland around the world, as opposed to 36,5 million when limited to Europe. Regarding this, Carlo Terreni, General director at NetComm Suisse Association explains that Switzerland is missing a unique opportunity because: “More than 35 milions of customers in EU feel safe to buy from swiss based shops, unfortunately only 8% of swiss companies have an online shop and even less sells abroad. For this reason we are working to create a Trustmark which promotes the swiss factor and supports swiss enterprises in order to increase export thanks to e-Commerce”.

Exporting Swiss SMEs: Understand cross-border data to exploit e-commerce potential

Alberto Silini, Head of Consulting at Switzerland Global Enterprise, will present research data at the event, centered on understanding cross-border data to exploit Swiss e-export potential. Switzerland currently ranks second among international e-Commerce markets for a high image asset on the CEFI (Country e-Commerce Factor Index. According to the report, the largest potential market for Swiss exporters is in Shanghai/China. He stresses: “E-commerce is a great opportunity for Swiss exporters to grow their business. But different rules apply depending on the market. In China, for example, 80% of sales are generated by two platforms, Tmall and JD. Therefore, operating your own website to create online sales is less likely to be successful. Also, the App "WeChat" is becoming increasingly popular for e-Commerce nowadays. SMEs need to be sure e-commerce is the right strategy for them, choose their service partner wisely, e.g., with binding sales targets, and build expertise in e-commerce within their company.”

Over two thirds of Swiss online shoppers purchase cross-border

Although China and Russia are the primary international markets for Swiss e-export, over two thirds (64%) of Swiss online shoppers actually turn abroad for purchases—with fashion being the top-ranked product purchased cross-border. Yet it’s not enough to focus expansion exclusively on these markets, as any country’s attractiveness to cross-border e-Commerce can fluctuate. Promotion of Swiss values at an international level is therefore key, as these values remain stable even when markets don’t.

Expertise from Swiss Post, Facebook, Amazon, Switzerland Global Enteprise and more

Guest speakers from Amazon, Swiss Post, NetComm Suisse, Facebook, Rackspace, Switzerland Global Enterprise and Akamai will give expert talks on cross-border e-Commerce trends at the workshop and networking event. NetComm Suisse’s General Director, Carlo Terreni, will offer a welcome speech, while, among others, Facebook’s Client Partner EMEA, Enno Jönsson, will give a talk on Facebook AD Solutions for Export. Jim Fanning, The Amazon Web Services Country Manager for Switzerland and Central & Eastern Europe, will deliver a Keynote Speech and the final speaker, Maria Katsira, NetComm Suisse’s Jr. Social and Web Manager, will discuss using social media to engage with the e-Commerce Community.

 

ABOUT NETCOMM SUISSE ASSOCIATION

The NetComm Suisse Association works to harness the voices of the wider e-Commerce Community in Switzerland, bridging the gap between merchants and digital service providers, and advancing an agenda for national and global growth and success. They exist to assist both established and prospective e-Commerce merchants network and grow, and to learn from and gain access to the very best services, training, and advice available.

ABOUT RACKSPACE INTERNATIONAL

Rackspace International is a Managed Cloud Computing Service that works with international clients throughout the globe. They architect, migrate, secure, and operate your cloud, continually helping clients optimize it for tangible business results.

ABOUT SWITZERLAND GLOBAL ENTERPRISE

Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) guides its clients on the path to new markets. On behalf of the Swiss Confederation (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO) and the Swiss cantons, S-GE promotes exports and investments by helping its clients to realize new potential for their international businesses and thus to strengthen Switzerland as an economic hub. As the driver of a global network of experts and as a trusted and strong partner to clients, cantons and the Swiss government, S-GE is the first point of contact in Switzerland for all questions relating to internationalization.

CONTACT

For more information on the workshop and networking event, see the schedule and event details or contact giulia.pastena@netcommsuisse.ch