If you’ve ever wondered about the magic behind successful online sales in Europe, here’s an inspiring journey to shed light on the process. Our client, “EcoVision”—a small but ambitious Bulgarian eco-product business—embarked on a clear mission to break into the European market. With the help of the NEXT BASKET platform, they not only established a presence in 28 different markets but also built a robust system for automated deliveries, seamless payments, and fast customer service. Here’s how we achieved all of this together!
EcoVision: The Start of an Adventure in International Trade
EcoVision began as a small business in Bulgaria, driven by a desire to change how people think about packaging and home care. They specialized in eco-friendly products—biodegradable packaging, reusable items, and natural cleaning products. In Bulgaria, they had already won the hearts of environmentally conscious customers. However, their ambitions reached far beyond the country’s borders. They wanted to introduce their products to European markets, such as Germany, Sweden, and France, where demand for sustainable products is significant.
While confident in their product quality, they faced the usual challenges of entering international markets: identifying the right countries to target, managing deliveries across multiple nations, optimizing payment and shipping processes, and meeting the expectations of European customers.
When they approached us, their primary goal was clear: to establish a stable online presence in Europe by offering their products without compromising quality while ensuring maximum convenience for customers. EcoVision needed an all-in-one solution—a platform that combined sales, logistics, and payment methods. NEXT BASKET was the perfect choice, and we eagerly took on the challenge.
Preparing for Sales in Europe
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Market Research in Europe
During our initial meetings, we discussed their ideas and expectations for the European markets. While they were confident in their product quality, they were surprised when our analysis revealed significant differences in consumer preferences across countries. For example, Germany and Scandinavian countries prioritize products that are not only biodegradable but also pass rigorous sustainability checks. In Southern Europe, on the other hand, practicality and durability are more important.
With NEXT BASKET’s integrated marketing tools, we gathered data on the most in-demand products for each country and developed specific recommendations for EcoVision. Instead of offering everything everywhere, they launched with the most suitable products for each market, significantly increasing their chances of success. EcoVision started with their bestsellers, such as biodegradable packaging and textile bags, which became a hit in Germany and Sweden. In just the first month, they achieved a 30% increase in orders!
Choosing the Right Products
Initially, EcoVision considered offering their entire product range everywhere. However, during our discussions, it became clear that international market success depends on a well-thought-out product strategy. The analytical tools in the NEXT BASKET platform provided market insights, including seasonal trends and consumer habits by country.
For instance, kitchen sets were the top-selling products in the Netherlands, while home care products were in high demand in Scandinavian countries. These insights helped us refine their product offerings for each market and reduce unnecessary storage and shipping costs.
Legal and Accounting Aspects
Entering international markets is not just about increasing sales—it comes with numerous regulations and accounting requirements that must be followed. EcoVision faced these challenges, particularly when entering markets like Switzerland and Norway, where customs regulations are very strict. Each product made of biodegradable materials had to undergo special inspections and declarations.
This demanded meticulous attention to detail and the generation of documents for each item, a process that could take days. However, with our automated customs documentation feature, this burden was significantly reduced.
Our platform automatically generates all the necessary documents in compliance with the regulations of each country. For instance, when EcoVision began selling in Switzerland, the platform automatically filled out customs declarations and submitted all required documents for their eco-products. This not only accelerated the process but also ensured there were no errors or delays that could disrupt their deliveries. As a result, EcoVision could focus on business growth instead of administrative tasks.
Another important aspect was managing finances and taxes in various countries. With NEXT BASKET, EcoVision did not need to worry about the complexity of accounting abroad. Our integrations with accounting services made the process fully automated. When expanding into different European countries, the tax rules vary significantly. However, with our automatic tax calculator and integrated tax reports, EcoVision could easily track and manage all their financial obligations without struggling with manual calculations or complex processes.
Online Sales in Europe
Choosing the Right E-commerce Platform
Initially, EcoVision operated a simple, multifunctional online store that served the Bulgarian market. However, this setup was insufficient for their international ambitions. The NEXT BASKET team provided them with everything else they needed—multi-language support, various currencies, and integrations with the most popular payment systems in different markets. For example, when a customer from France visited their site, everything was displayed in French and priced in euros. This made the site much more user-friendly and allowed EcoVision to focus on business development instead of technical integrations.
Website Optimization for European Customers
To attract customers from across Europe, the website had to meet the expectations for security and convenience in each country. To assist with this, we added a GEO IP feature that automatically adjusted the language and currency based on the customer’s location. For instance, German customers saw the interface in German and prices in euros, while Swedish customers saw Swedish kronor and a Swedish interface.
Additionally, our built-in SEO tool boosted organic traffic. Within a few months, EcoVision experienced a 30% increase in organic visits—a testament to how an optimized site combined with effective SEO can yield excellent results.
Marketing and Advertising in Europe
Marketing in Europe can be challenging because each country has its preferences and trends. Thanks to NEXT BASKET, EcoVision had access to Facebook Ads and Google Ads integrations, enabling them to target their customers with the right messages. After launching their first ads, sales in Germany increased by over 5%, demonstrating how effective targeted marketing can be in a short time.
Offline Sales in Europe
When entering the international market, it’s not just about online sales. Many businesses, including EcoVision, realize that success in Europe also requires expanding offline. This includes participating in trade shows, collaborating with local distributors, and even opening physical stores. Fortunately, with a platform like NEXT BASKET, all of this becomes much easier and stress-free.
Participating in European Trade Shows
For EcoVision, participating in major trade shows in Germany and France was an essential step in their expansion. These events required meticulous planning, from coordinating logistics to preparing documents and managing sales on-site.
With our event management and inventory automation integration, EcoVision could plan everything easily. They simply uploaded product information to the platform, which took care of documentation, inventory, and associated tasks. After the Paris event, all sales made at the booth were synchronized with their online store, allowing them to process orders and start deliveries immediately.
Collaborating with European Distributors
Building a distribution network in Europe was a crucial growth milestone for EcoVision. Managing stock levels and ensuring good terms for all partners can be challenging. Our platform provided a seamless solution for this as well. EcoVision could track every item and communicate directly with their partners. The platform not only allowed them to manage orders and deliveries but also generated automatic sales reports to avoid misunderstandings.
For example, when a distributor in Italy placed a new order, EcoVision could see all the details directly in the platform, including the products to be shipped. This gave them complete control and clarity over what and when items were being sent. The platform also automatically generated and sent all necessary documents to distributors while updating inventory in real time to prevent delays or errors.
Opening a Physical Store in Europe
Despite the growth in online sales, EcoVision made a bold move by opening a physical store in Germany to expand their reach further. Coordinating between online and offline channels was no small task. How could they ensure that their inventory was synchronized between the two? How could they manage everything from a single platform without errors?
The solution was simple—we integrated a system that synchronized their online and offline channels. When EcoVision added a new product to their online store, it was automatically added to their physical store’s inventory. Any changes, such as price adjustments or new items, were implemented instantly, without requiring manual intervention. This ensured that customers had a consistent experience, whether shopping online or in-store.
Logistics and Delivery in Europe
Navigating logistics and delivery across Europe is a significant challenge. Each country has its regulations, customs rules, and preferred courier companies. With NEXT BASKET, EcoVision successfully overcame these challenges, streamlining their delivery processes.
Choosing the Right Courier or Transport Company
Choosing a courier or transport company is crucial, especially when delivering to multiple European countries. EcoVision wanted the best rates for each country while ensuring fast and reliable delivery. By integrating with our courier selection system, they could automatically compare various courier options based on price, delivery speed, and service availability.
For example, when delivering to Spain, the platform allowed EcoVision to choose between DHL, UPS, or a local courier, depending on the best offer. The platform automatically calculated transport costs, enabling them to select next-day delivery or a more affordable but slower option.
Customs Procedures and Declarations
Customs procedures in Europe can be daunting, particularly when shipping products to multiple countries with varying requirements. EcoVision automated this entire process through our customs declaration integration. When shipping goods, the system automatically completed all required documents for each country, including product details, values, and correct customs codes.
The platform automatically generated and submitted customs declarations for each shipment, saving EcoVision significant time and effort. The ability to calculate duties and complete declarations automatically also facilitated faster customs clearance, avoiding delays and delivery issues.
Warehouse and Inventory Management
Effective inventory management is vital for online retailers. EcoVision operated not only from their own warehouse but also from warehouses in other European countries. To ensure sufficient stock levels everywhere, they needed real-time inventory tracking.
NEXT BASKET played a key role here. Through its warehouse and inventory management integration, EcoVision could monitor every item, regardless of location. When stock levels dropped in a particular warehouse, the system automatically signaled the need for restocking. These updates and synchronization in real-time ensured customers didn’t face out-of-stock situations, allowing EcoVision to maintain optimal inventory levels.
Conclusion: NEXT BASKET – For Every Market, Every Challenge
It’s no secret that working on an international level comes with significant challenges—customs, distributors, warehouses, and logistics can make you question if sticking to local business might be easier. However, with NEXT BASKET, EcoVision managed to change the game.
Over the past year, EcoVision achieved a 40% increase in revenue while simultaneously reducing logistics costs by 20%. All of this was made possible thanks to one platform that automates everything—from customs declarations to inventory management. And if you think this sounds too good to be true, imagine EcoVision calling it just “daily operations.”
If there’s one key takeaway, it’s this: with NEXT BASKET, all those “small” details that usually drive you crazy are resolved with just a few clicks. As your business grows and expands in Europe, this isn’t just convenient—it’s absolutely essential. The key is simply choosing the right partner!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the most popular products in Europe?
The most popular products include electronics (smartphones, laptops), fashion (clothing and accessories), cosmetics, health foods and supplements, as well as sustainable and biodegradable goods.
What are the largest European markets?
The largest markets are Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain. These countries have large consumer bases and stable economies.
What are the costs of starting a business in Europe?
Costs vary depending on the country and type of business. On average, the expenses for registering a company and establishing a business in the EU range from €500 to €2,000, excluding costs for office space or inventory.
What are the tax rules for sales in Europe?
Value-added tax (VAT) rates in Europe differ by country, typically ranging between 17% and 27%. For international sales within the EU, you must comply with the specific VAT rules of each market.
What are the labeling and packaging requirements for products?
The EU has strict labeling requirements, including details about ingredients, origin, usage instructions, expiration dates, and safety warnings. Packaging must meet environmental standards and be recyclable.
George Radivoyevitch
