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French web agency at your service - boost your e-commerce in France
Discover Grizzlead, the essential web agency for international businesses targeting the French market. Our unique expertise lies in providing tailor-made support for foreign entities looking to establish themselves in France. With targeted advertising campaigns on Google and social networks, we are the springboard for your e-commerce success. At Grizzlead, we do more than just launch campaigns; we create digital strategies that turn your ambitions into tangible reality in the French market.
As the digital marketplace continues to grow exponentially, establishing a strong online presence in the French market is more crucial than ever.
With our expertise and deep understanding of the local ecommerce ecosystem, we empower foreign businesses to thrive and succeed in this competitive space.
Key Ecommerce Statistics in France
France stands as one of the leading countries in Europe in terms of ecommerce activity. With over 40 millions of active online shoppers and a robust digital infrastructure, the French ecommerce market presents vast opportunities for businesses looking to expand their reach.
The total revenue of French e-commerce (encompassing both products and services) reached EUR 146.9 billion in 2022, marking a 13.8% increase year over year. This figure is equivalent to the annual turnover of the automotive or construction sector.
The average basket is €67.
The total revenue of French e-commerce (encompassing both products and services) reached EUR 146.9 billion in 2022, marking a 13.8% increase year over year. This figure is equivalent to the annual turnover of the automotive or construction sector.
The average basket is €67.
Source : Francenum
French e-commerce revenue
No Data Found
in billions of euros – Source : FEVAD
Tips for succeeding in Ecommerce in France
Understand the French Consumer: French consumers value quality, transparency, and a seamless shopping experience. Ensure that your website is user-friendly, with clear product descriptions and a straightforward checkout process.
Localize Your Content
The French market responds well to culturally relevant content. Localize your website and marketing materials to resonate with the local audience, taking into consideration language nuances and regional preferences. With its nuanced pronunciation, intricate grammar, and plethora of irregular verbs, French presents a unique set of challenges.
“Studies show that there are profit losses incurred due to spelling mistakes.“
For English speakers, the use of gendered nouns and adjectives introduces a layer of complexity absent in their native tongue. The subtle distinctions in vowel sounds, such as the difference between “e” in “le” and “é” in “lé,” can be particularly perplexing. Additionally, the French language is rife with homophones, words that sound the same but have different meanings, adding to the potential for confusion.
German speakers, despite benefiting from certain grammatical similarities with French, such as gendered nouns, still face hurdles. The French reliance on context and implied subjects contrasts starkly with the German language’s explicit and structured sentence construction. Furthermore, the use of articles in French can be baffling, as it requires a level of precision not demanded in German.
Optimize for Mobile
With 49% of the transactions happening through mobile phone, ensuring that your ecommerce site is mobile-optimized is crucial.
Source : Francenum
Offer Preferred Payment Options
Provide a variety of payment methods, including those that are widely used in France, such as Carte Bleue, PayPal, and bank transfers.
Payment preferences of French online shoppers in 2021
No Data Found
in percentage – Source : FEVAD
Invest in Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service in French can significantly enhance your brand’s reputation and customer loyalty.
Qualimetrie, a customer relationship expert, conducted a survey in 2022 to assess the engagement of French consumers with customer service.
The results indicate that 91% of French individuals engaged with customer service in the past year, primarily using email (84%), phone (74%) and social media (32%).
Contact channels used by the French to contact a company in 2022
No Data Found
in percentage – Source : Comarketing
Establish a strong social media presence
Utilize social media platforms popular in France to connect with your target audience and drive traffic to your website.
Top social media platforms in France in 2022
No Data Found
in percentage – Source : IIM
Leverage marketplaces for exposure
With the significant growth in sales on online marketplaces, where third-party sellers have the opportunity to offer their products, it is essential to acknowledge the substantial 30% increase in sales volume compared to 2019.
36% of online sellers sell through third-party marketplaces.
Source : Francenum
Most visited marketplaces in France in 2022
No Data Found
in million visitors / month – Source : FEVAD
Adapt to the French time zone and French events
France operates on Central European Time (CET), one hour ahead of the UK (GMT) and synchronizes with Germany. For commercial operations, note the Daylight Saving Time changes: last Sunday in March (forward) and last Sunday in October (backward). Plan accordingly for seamless international business coordination.
To maximize online sales in France, target key shopping periods: Winter Sales in January, Summer Sales in July, Black Friday in November, and the Christmas season in December. Leveraging these peak times, especially during national holidays and local festivals, can significantly boost your commercial success.
The decree dated May 27, 2019, as amended, stipulates that each sales period in France will last four weeks, with specified start dates and times:
Winter sales commence at 8 a.m. on the second Wednesday of January, or the first Wednesday of January if the second Wednesday falls after the 12th of the month.
Summer sales begin at 8 a.m. on the last Wednesday of June, or the penultimate Wednesday of June if the last Wednesday falls after the 28th of the month.
It is crucial for businesses to align their promotional activities with these regulated periods to optimize sales.
Source : Economie.gouv
In 2021, home delivery continued to be the dominant method of receipt for e-commerce customers, with 80% opting for this convenience. Additionally, nearly 70% of online shoppers utilized alternative pick-up options, such as collection points, postal offices, lockers, or retail stores affiliated with the brand.
Source : FEVAD
While credit and debit cards remain the preferred payment method among e-commerce consumers, there is a noticeable trend towards embracing alternative payment options such as digital wallets, gift cards, and bank transfers. Concurrently, deferred and installment payment plans are gaining traction and appealing to an increasingly diverse audience.
Source : FEVAD
- Prior to finalizing the contract, you are required to specify the latest date by which you commit to delivering the goods or completing the service.
- In the absence of a specified date, the delivery must be made no later than 30 days following the online order.
- If a delay occurs, the customer has the right to cancel the order and request a refund. In such cases, you are obliged to process the refund within a 14-day period.
- It is imperative to note that you cannot impose a specific method of refund on the customer, such as a credit for future purchases.
Source : Entreprendre.service-public
The right of withdrawal allows the consumer to cancel the order placed online within 14 days, without having to justify his decision and without incurring any other costs (except for possible return costs). This right also applies to the sale of goods on sale and second-hand goods.
Source : Entreprendre.service-public
Ready to conquer the French ecommerce market ?
Contact Grizzlead today and discover how our tailored services can transform your online business in France. Let’s create a digital success story together!
