Spain, e-commerce and logistics
With several strong e-commerce players and a nation of consumers
Spain is an interesting market to keep an eye on. Read on to find out about the best way of organising fast and cheap deliveries to places like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza and more.
Why ship to Spain?
Spain is the fourth most populated country in the EU, with a population of nearly 48 million people. It is also one of the fastest- growing e-commerce markets in the region.1
E-commerce in Spain continues to thrive. With a market penetration of over 40 percent, the Spanish digital market is a real boost to the economy of the European country, allowing millions of users to sell and buy products in an innovative way. While some Spaniards still enjoy the offline experience, many favour the endless possibilities that e-commerce offers.2
- 35.5 billion USD
- B2C e-commerce market revenue
- 42.7%
- E-commerce penetration rate
- Amazon.es
- Online store with highest net sales value
[Stats taken from: www.statista.com/topics/7745/e-commerce-in-spain#topicOverview]
The e-commerce landscape
Many Spanish consumers opt for shopping online via their desktop computers over any other device. Smartphones are catching up, but are not yet the average consumer’s device of choice. The convenience and affordability of e-commerce have driven increasing numbers of Spanish consumers to satisfy their shopping desires online.
Convenience plays a pivotal role in the decision-making process for online shopping, followed by affordability. Being able to shop at all hours and organise a home delivery are some of the driving forces behind the recent surge in online shopping in Spain.
Opportunities
Because the e-commerce landscape and consumer preferences are constantly changing, there is always room for new market trends to emerge. Livestream commerce is becoming progressively popular as well as the increased use of social networks for online sales and purchases. By 2024, more than half of e-commerce professionals in Spain had harnessed the power of Facebook for commercial purposes, while 49% had utilized Instagram to enhance their business goals. Additionally, more than a quarter of e-commerce professionals have readily employed WhatsApp and Telegram as part of their e-comm strategy.3
Digital e-commerce growth in Spain
The year-over-year (YoY) change in revenue on a per-period basis. For instance, Q1 2020 over Q1 2019.
Logistics
There are many couriers and shipping companies offering to ship to Spain, as well as many major online markets. However, it pays to shop around to find the best rates. Other factors, such as delivery times and customer service may be of equal importance to you and your business, so we'd always recommend looking at the full picture.
You can familiarise yourself with the weights and prices of sending a package to Spain using our helpful shipping rates chart.
Keep in mind:
How much is VAT in Spain? The standard VAT rate in Spain is 21%. It applies to most goods and services. The two reduced VAT rates are 10% and 4%4
What our experts say:
“The potential for e-commerce in Spain creates vast opportunities. The time to get in is now.”
Simon Perkins, Commercial Director, SAMOS.