Platform to help US brands reach European consumers

With all the talk of m:commerce and social commerce the buzz with international expansion has died off a bit. But the release of one new platform may have more etailers looking harder at online storefronts that can serve an international audience.

by Kristina Knight

Alison Paul, Vice Chairman and US Retail & Distribution Leader, Deloitte, LLC, suggests the international marketplace is one way online merchants can compete with bigger brands or for brands to grow their business faster. However, that route is also pitted with obstacles - language differences, shipping issues and customer service.

The Orium platform is one tool those inclined to build business faster could use. Orium is an e-fulfillment and contact center specialist; their new website is set up to help American-based businesses expand into the European marketplace through online sales. In addition to shipping inventory to European customers from a European distribution hub, merchants will save money; in addition the website is set up with live chat option, in local language, to assist with customer service.

"The launch of our new website marks the global trend towards cross border commerce. The Internet has broken down many of the boundaries associated with international retail, but selling cross border requires the right preparation and support of local partners to make the expansion strategy a success. Our service offering is designed to make European expansion seamless for U.S. companies who share our values of cost-effective delivery and quality customer service," shares Olivier Moreau, CEO at Orium.

According to comScore retail websites reached about 75% of the online European audience. In the UK retail sites reached 89% of the online population, 87% of French were reached by retail sites and 82% of Germans; the fastest growing penetration rates were found in Ireland and Russia.

Tags: comScore, Deloitte, ecommerce, ecommerce trends, international ecommerce, international marketing, Orium