Ecommerce Europe published a report on Eastern Europe e-commerce.

"With an average growth rate of 35.7% over the year 2012, the e-commerce market in Eastern Europe is comparatively showing the strongest increase in Europe. The projected online turnover of €19.3 bn for 2013 indicates that there is a lot of ground to gain in the region: Only 27 of 106 million internet users are to date using the internet for shopping."

"The report defines the region as consisting of Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Moldova, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, FYR Macedonia and Serbia. Russia, Ukraine and Romania, respectively boasting an e-commerce turnover of €10.3 bn, €1.2 bn and €0.8 bn. The 27 million e-shoppers of the Eastern European region generate a total turnover of €13.1 bn. The region‘s share in Europe’s total e-commerce turnover in 2012 is 7%."

"Often referred to as the “sleeping giant”, Russia already stands out with head and shoulders above the other countries of the region. The largest single market in Europe boasts the largest online population with 68 million internet users and 20 million online shoppers, generating a lion’s share of 78.5% of the regions total e-commerce market. Ukraine ranks second with total sales of €1.25 bn, followed by Romania with an online turnover of €0.8 bn. Russians spent on average €515,- on the internet in 2012, whereas Ukrainians spent €510,- and Romanians €400,-. "

"With an average growth of 47% over 2012, the Ukrainian e-commerce market outperforms its regional neighbors Russia (35.5%) and Romania (33.3%). When it comes to internet penetration, Romania leads the way with a share of 54% of the population, followed by Bulgaria with 51%. Russia and Ukraine are on par with 50%."

“There is a lot of potential in the Eastern European e-commerce market. First of all, only 27 million of 162 million inhabitants are shopping online - a percentage bound to increase once internet penetration is picking up pace. As demand will rise across this region, logistic services will improve, enabling retailers to serve also the less urbanized areas. Especially in a country like Russia this opens up a market of millions of new customers.”

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="560"] Source SchaafPC[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="709"] Source Business2Community[/caption]

According to this, "almost six in ten U.S. social media users will go on to make a purchase based on a friend’s social media post, with more than one quarter (28 percent) of 18-34 year-olds ‘fairly’ or ‘very likely’ to buy following social recommendations of friends."

"Data also noted that 35-44 year-olds are also greatly impacted by social media recommendations from friends, while users aged 55+ are least likely."

Source: eMarketer

According to this, global B2C e-commerce sales are expected to reach USD 1.5 trillion in 2014 driven by growth in emerging markets.

"Worldwide business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce sales will increase by 20.1% in 2014 to reach USD 1.5 trillion. Growth will come primarily from the rapidly expanding online and mobile user bases in emerging markets, increases in m-commerce sales, advancing shipping and payment options, and the push into new international markets by major brands."

"Results predict that in 2014, for the first time, consumers in Asia-Pacific will spend more on e-commerce purchases than those in North America, making it the largest regional e-commerce market in the world. This year alone, B2C e-commerce sales are expected to reach USD 525.2 billion in the region, compared with USD 482.6 billion in North America."

"China will take in more than six of every USD 10 spent on e-commerce in Asia-Pacific in 2014 and almost three-quarters of regional spending by 2017. The country’s e-commerce market is second only to the US, but this is not expected to last much longer. Beginning in 2016, China will overtake the US in spending. Massive gains in China, as well as in India and Indonesia, will push Asia-Pacific’s growth ahead."

"These countries, along with Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, Italy and Canada, will drive e-commerce sales growth worldwide. E-commerce markets in other countries are nearing maturity."

"The strength of sales in emerging markets is due to their large populations coming online and buying there for the first time. Asia-Pacific will claim more than 46% of digital buyers worldwide in 2014, though these users will only account for 16.9% of the region’s population. Penetration will also be low in Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. For now, North America and Western Europe are the only regions where a majority of residents will make purchases via digital channels."