1. France's E-commerce Ranking Rises: Unlimited Potential for the Cdiscount Platform

According to the annual e-commerce report released by the French E-commerce and Distance Selling Federation (Fevad), France's e-commerce market is now the second largest in Europe, trailing only the UK and surpassing Germany. E-commerce has become a key driver of economic growth in France, deeply integrating into the daily lives of French consumers and becoming an essential part of their shopping habits.

On average, French consumers shop online 54 times a year, with an average spending of 65 euros per transaction. Moreover, there are 42 million internet shoppers in France. The survey also reveals that 52% of French consumers prefer shopping on unique platforms rather than visiting multiple stores. This data not only highlights the prosperity of the French e-commerce market but also indicates its vast potential for future growth.

Recently, Fevad’s latest report also revealed the strong growth momentum of France's e-commerce market. In the first quarter of 2024, e-commerce sales (including products and services) increased by 7.5% compared to the first quarter of 2023, reaching a total of 42.2 billion euros. Additionally, the number of transactions grew significantly, rising from 578 million in Q1 2023 to 605 million in Q1 2024, reflecting a 4.7% year-on-year increase.

Additionally, Service Sales Maintain Steady Growth

Service sales have also maintained a steady growth trend, with a 13.3% increase compared to the first quarter of 2023. As product consumption rebounds, e-commerce order volume has also risen by 1.1%.

In the French e-commerce market, Cdiscount stands out as one of the largest domestic e-commerce platforms in France, thanks to its rich experience and mature operating model. In terms of traffic, Cdiscount is the second most visited e-commerce platform in France, second only to Amazon.

2. One-Stop Platform Services: Empowering Chinese Sellers to Expand into France

For many sellers with zero experience and no prior knowledge, venturing into cross-border e-commerce feels like navigating uncharted waters, full of challenges and uncertainties. They may feel lost due to a lack of professional guidance and worry about getting trapped in an unprofitable cycle.

However, for those looking to enter the Cdiscount platform, such concerns are unnecessary.

Cdiscount Offers Comprehensive Support for New Sellers, Empowering Their Cross-Border Expansion

Cdiscount deeply understands the concerns and needs of new sellers, which is why it provides comprehensive and tailored support from the very beginning of the onboarding process. Whether it’s strategic planning for market entry or technical support in daily operations, Cdiscount is committed to guiding and assisting sellers to establish a solid presence on the platform and gradually achieve their profitability goals. With Cdiscount's support, new sellers can confidently face the challenges of cross-border e-commerce and realize their business dreams.

Step-by-Step Onboarding and Incubation Support

During the initial stages of entering Cdiscount, merchant recruitment managers provide detailed onboarding materials, enabling sellers to self-learn and gradually master the platform's backend operations and marketing techniques. For sellers with high-quality products and services, the platform offers an incubation program, where professional incubation managers provide operational guidance and support for three months. After completing the incubation period, sellers also have the opportunity to receive category manager support to participate in various promotional activities, increasing traffic and sales.

Comprehensive Logistics Support with Octopia Fulfillment

Cdiscount's full support extends beyond operations to logistics, offering powerful assistance through Octopia Fulfillment, its official overseas warehouse network. Octopia warehouses are strategically located across France, the UK, Spain, and other European countries, enabling sellers to significantly increase their Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV). Sellers can ship their products directly to the platform’s overseas warehouses, where orders are then swiftly and accurately delivered to consumers, thereby enhancing the customer shopping experience and satisfaction.

Expanding Sales Channels through Octopia's Ecosystem

In addition to providing full support to Cdiscount sellers, the Octopia ecosystem actively helps sellers expand their sales channels. Given that some local European e-commerce platforms are not yet open to Chinese sellers, Chinese merchants often face limitations in selling within Europe. Octopia provides a strategic solution by allowing sellers to synchronize their products to other e-commerce platforms once their Cdiscount store is stable.

Furthermore, the platform offers API and ERP integration, enabling sellers to efficiently bulk manage their products, including uploading, editing, and consolidating listings. This flexibility empowers sellers to maximize their reach across multiple sales channels.

Professional Advertising Support for Effective Marketing

Cdiscount also provides professional advertising support, helping sellers effectively promote and operate in the European market. This comprehensive approach ensures sellers can maximize their visibility and reach their target customers.

Performance Evaluation and Multi-Channel Sales Opportunities

Zhao Yilian, Head of Cdiscount/Octopia China Team, shared with Hugo Cross-border that sellers are automatically evaluated approximately 3-6 months after starting operations on Cdiscount, based on their sales performance and operational efficiency. Positive evaluations allow sellers to expand to multi-channel sales opportunities, recognizing their achievements and enabling further business growth.

Once sellers meet the criteria for other multi-channel platforms under Octopia, a section in the Octopia system is activated, giving sellers the freedom to choose whether to expand to additional channels. This tiered system not only acknowledges sellers' performance but also offers more opportunities for business expansion and revenue growth.

Amid the booming growth of the French e-commerce market, Cdiscount is emerging as an essential bridge for Chinese sellers looking to expand into France, thanks to its vast user base, efficient operational model, and comprehensive cross-border services. For Chinese sellers aiming to enhance brand international visibility and expand market share, joining Cdiscount is undoubtedly a wise choice full of opportunities.