Europe Quick E-Commerce (Quick Commerce) Market Size and Trends

The Europe Quick E-Commerce (Quick Commerce) market size was estimated to be valued at US$ 6.85 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 14.39 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2% from 2023 to 2030.

Europe Quick E-Commerce (Quick Commerce) Market Country Insights

Germany: Germany stands as a powerhouse in the europe quick commerce market, showcasing a meticulous blend of efficiency and precision. The german quick e-commerce landscape is characterized by robust infrastructure and a tech-savvy consumer base. Market leaders deploy advanced logistics and ai-driven systems, ensuring swift order fulfillment.
U.K.: The U.K. has been a pioneer in shaping the quick commerce landscape. a robust digital infrastructure and a tech-forward consumer mindset have fostered an environment where quick commerce thrives. Dominant players in the U.K. market leverage cutting-edge technologies, including AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning, to streamline operations. The emphasis is not just on speed but also on personalized services, with companies tailoring offerings to diverse consumer preferences.
France: France, known for its culinary excellence, has seamlessly integrated quick commerce into its daily fabric. Many players in the France excel in combining speed with an appreciation for gastronomy. The emphasis is not only on delivering products swiftly but also ensuring the preservation of quality. French consumers favor QC services that celebrate local flavors and prioritize the integrity of products.

Europe Quick E-Commerce (Quick Commerce) Market Drivers:

Changing Consumer Lifestyles and Preferences: The rapid pace of modern consumer lifestyles, especially in urban areas, is a major factor driving the growth of quick commerce in Europe. Consumers are increasingly time-starved and value convenience. According to surveys, the average commute time in Europe is close to 1 hour per day. Long working hours and busy schedules leave little time for grocery shopping and food preparation. Quick commerce provides a highly convenient way for metropolitan consumers to get groceries, meals, and daily essentials delivered to their doorstep in minutes. The on-demand culture and instant gratification provided by q-commerce platforms is appealing to younger millennials and Gen Z consumers.
COVID-Led Surge in Online Grocery Shopping: The COVID-19 pandemic led to an overnight boom in digital grocery shopping as consumers moved away from physical stores. Housebound consumers relied on q-commerce for accessing daily essentials and groceries during lockdowns. According to an Accenture survey, 46% of European consumers started using Q-commerce for the first time during the pandemic. While lockdowns have eased, many new pandemic-led shopping behaviors have endured with consumers now accustomed to the convenience of rapid delivery. The rollout of vaccines and economic reopening is providing tailwinds to the quick commerce sector.
Smartphone and Internet Penetration: Widespread smartphone and mobile internet adoption is a key enabler of quick commerce in Europe. According to Eurostat, over 80% of the Europe population owns a smartphone in 2022. High-speed 4G and 5G networks allow quick commerce apps to provide a seamless ordering experience. GPS and location technology enables real-time tracking and hyper-accurate delivery logistics down to the minute. The proliferation of smartphones and mobile internet will continue to provide growth impetus to Europe quick e-commerce (quick commerce) market
Urbanization and Densely Populated Cities: Europe is highly urbanized with over 75% of the population living in metropolitan areas as of 2020. Megacities like London, Paris, and Berlin present a massive addressable market for quick commerce with their large populations, high living costs, traffic congestion and very limited space for large format supermarkets. Busy schedules, long commuting times and the convenience factor create substantial latent demand for services like 10-15 minute grocery delivery offered by quick commerce firms.

Europe Quick E-Commerce (Quick Commerce) Market Trends:

Dark Stores and Cloud Stores: Dark stores and cloud stores are emerging as the most optimal proximity-based micro-fulfillment models for quick commerce. Dark stores function as small warehouses optimized solely for rapid order processing versus conventional stores. Cloud stores are compact attached store formats that offer customers limited dine-in options while primarily functioning as fulfillment centers. Dark and cloud stores enable faster delivery and higher service levels.
Quick Grocery Focus: While some firms offer a wide assortment beyond groceries, early data indicates that convenience grocery items and ready-to-eat meals drive a majority of quick commerce demand. Classic value-added services like fruit/vegetable washing and meal kit assembly provide differentiation in grocery-focused quick commerce. Firms are increasingly partnering with gourmet stores, fresh food specialists and known chefs to enhance prepared meal offerings.
Greening of Quick Commerce: Sustainability is growing as a priority area for quick commerce firms amid concerns regarding the climate impact of rapid delivery models. To minimize carbon footprints, companies are optimizing drop densities, using electric vehicles, digitalized warehouse flows, recyclable packaging and tweaking routing algorithms. Some firms have launched carbon neutral delivery options and environmental impact trackers for conscious consumers.
Autonomous Last-Mile Delivery: Quick commerce firms are piloting the usage of autonomous robots and vehicles to reduce last-mile delivery costs. Autonomous bots by companies like Starship Technologies provide a lower cost and more flexible way to fulfill quick deliveries. While still in the early stages, autonomous last-mile delivery will help address driver shortage and cost issues confronting the quick commerce model.