In November the BeCommerce Capgemini index recorded an upward trend to close at 163 pts. This is the highest level the Index has reached since its start point in April 2010. The Belgian e-retail sales rose by 2.4% after a strong growth in October which set the market for Christmas apparently one month earlier than last year. This is why the November 2010 sales growth was quite higher (+20.1%).

This chart shows the Index values, monthly and yearly performance from June 2010 to November 2011

This chart shows the month-on-month performance of the Belgian e-retail market from April 2010 to November 2011

The Index grew 7.6% last month, when compared with November 2010. The index has been growing constantly since July 2011.

This chart shows the year-on-year performance of the Belgian e-retail market displayed from January to December

The average online conversion rate for the retailers participating in the Index was 2.3% in November (the range of conversion of retailers in the index is between 1.5% and 3.1%).
The Total Sample recorded an increase with the same number of retailers as compared to Oct. 2011 with a increase in
Average Basket Value which closed at €145. The average spend per visitor reaches €2.70 for November 2011, this is higher than Oct 2011 figures.

This chart shows the average online conversion rate of Belgian e-retail sales from January 2011 to November 2011

Over seventeen e-retailers are already contributing to the BeCommerce Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, including Bivolino, Carrefour, CASS Shapewear, Damart, Fatboy, Goedkope Vliegtuigtickets, Jolilly Bodywear, La Redoute, Libelle Shop, Manutan, Neckermann, PIXmania, Snapstore by Cameleon, Tones.be and Unigro.

Participation in the Index is available to reputable e-merchants of all sizes. The BeCommerce Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index aims at becoming the primary performance indicator of the Belgian online shopping industry. For further details, or to participate in the survey, please contact us.

Carine Moitier, member of the Board at BeCommerce: “It is extremely important that we in Belgium have introduced the Becommerce Capgemini Index which gives us more insight in what is happening in Belgium with respect to e-shopping. So far we see a growth of close to 10% compared to the highstreet with zero growth or decreasing. Our expectations for December are excellent. Our merchants are expecting a growth of 14% which is better than last year. Belgians are more and more confident in purchasing online”.

Yannick Muriat, e-Retail Sales Index Lead at Capgemini Belgium: “The November growth is less than in 2010. It may be partly due to the overall and pessimistic economic context but we believe that the Belgian market simply set the Christmas scene a bit earlier than last year. December should once again hit recordbreaking online sales”.

Tina Spooner, Chief Information Officer at IMRG comments: “While growth in the Belgian e-retail market slowed during November, the 8% growth in online sales is positive when compared with the performance of the overall retail market in recent months, where sales remain flat. During the past six months the BeCommerce Capgemini Index has recorded double-digit growth, with year-on-year sales up 10%”.

About BeCommerce

BeCommerce is the Belgian association of companies operating in distance selling, both online (via Internet, mobile commerce, TV) and offline (via catalog, direct mail, telephone, SMS, TV etc.). BeCommerce will build on the growth of the sector and the strengthening of consumer confidence in distance selling through information, promotion (BeCommerce Awards), education (BeCommerce-academy), certification of ecommerce sites (BeCommerce Quality label) and a code of conduct. BeCommerce has 200 members and 30 business partners. More information is available at www.becommerce.be.

About IMRG and the e-Retail Sales Index

IMRG (Interactive Media in Retail Group) created and introduced the UK e-Retail Sales Index in 2000. The Index is regarded as the primary performance indicator of the UK online shopping industry, tracking real sales data from retailers. IMRG is now working with other national e-commerce industry associations to establish a Global E-commerce Measurement Standard (GEMS), assisting in the development of Index equivalents in other countries in order to produce data that is globally consistent and comparable. IMRG is the UK’s industry association for e-retail. Formed in 1990, IMRG is setting and maintaining pragmatic and robust e-retail standards to enable fast-track industry growth, and facilitates its community of members with practical help, information, tools, guidance and networking.

About Capgemini

Capgemini, one of the world’s foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, enables its clients to transform and perform through technologies. Capgemini provides its clients with insights and capabilities that boost their freedom to achieve superior results through a unique way of working, the Collaborative Business ExperienceTM. The Group relies on its global delivery model called Rightshore®, which aims to get the right balance of the best talent from multiple locations, working as one team to create and deliver the optimum solution for clients. Present in 40 countries, Capgemini reported 2010 global revenues of EUR 8.7 billion and employs around 110,000 people worldwide. More information is available at www.capgemini.com.