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Danish B2B e-commerce compared to the DACH market

During our visit to the E-commerce conferences 2024 In Copenhagen, we had exciting discussions with Danish B2B companies that are increasingly relying on in-house developments. It was noticeable that none of the contacts were really happy with these decisions. Many openly admitted that they would make different decisions today, as in-house developments often brought more challenges than solutions. These findings are also consistent with experiences from the German market, where in-house developments appear tempting at first, but often lead to rising costs and maintenance problems in the long term.

The Danish B2B buyer: How decisions are made and which trends are shaping purchasing?

According to the current report of the Dansk Industri are 72 % of B2B buyers in Denmark, managers who are involved in the decision-making process. Interestingly enough, they already include 14 % this buyer The younger generations Z and Y - a trend that will continue to grow in the coming years. These young decision-makers prefer digital solutions and focus on efficiency and automation.

One of the biggest changes triggered by the coronavirus pandemic is the digital transformation of the purchasing process. 71 % of Danish B2B buyers prefer digital channels, and on average they use 2.6 channelsto make their purchases. This shows a clear shift towards self-service and away from traditional sales processes that require personal contact.

Willingness to switch based on customer experience

Another exciting point is the high willingness of Danish B2B buyers to switch. 52 % of buyers have made changes to their procurement processes in recent years due to global challenges such as war, inflation or supply chain problems.

It is particularly noteworthy that 35 % the buyer change suppliers if the customer experience does not meet their expectations. This shows how important it is for suppliers to offer not only a good product, but also an outstanding customer experience. In the DACH region, the focus on customer experience is also strong, but the willingness to switch seems to be less pronounced compared to Denmark.

Digital B2B procurement: status quo.

The trend towards digital purchasing is unstoppable in the B2B sector. In Denmark in particular, buyers have recognized how efficient purchasing via web stores can be. According to the Dansk Industri Dossier use 76 % the buyer the webshop, and one of the most important factors here is that Price and stock status are transparently visible.

This is particularly relevant for complex and customer-specific products where the buyer does not want to compromise on user-friendliness and transparency despite the high level of complexity. Companies that do not meet these requirements run the risk of losing buyers to the competition.

Speed of delivery and sustainability as competitive factors

A clear trend towards fast deliveries has developed in the Danish B2B landscape. 37 % of orders are delivered within 24 hours, which increases the expectation on suppliers to ensure a smooth and efficient supply chain. This trend is also evident in the DACH region, although Danish buyers place particular emphasis on speed, making it an important competitive factor.

Sustainability is also playing an increasingly important role. 48 % of Danish B2B buyers want sustainable delivery options, and 34 % would even like the CO₂ footprint of their orders is integrated into the purchasing process. Sustainability is becoming a decisive competitive parameter - an area in which both the Danish and DACH markets will invest even more in the future.

In-house development: a tempting but risky strategy

Our Head of Product DevelopmentDaniel Hernet, shared some interesting thoughts on the risks of in-house developments at the conference. He explains:

"We are also familiar with the trend towards in-house development from the German market. It sounds tempting at first, but many companies fail to manage this development in the long term. The costs rise quickly and suddenly you're left with an unmaintainable system."
Daniel Hernet
Head of Product Development

Daniel expects that Danish companies that rely on in-house developments will have to change their strategies in the long term:

Companies that rely on in-house developments will find it difficult to keep up with the competition, which relies on flexible and ready-made solutions."
Daniel Hernet
Head of Product Development

The trend towards in-house development is particularly pronounced in Denmark. While this can offer short-term benefits, many companies face major challenges when it comes to the long-term maintenance and further development of these systems. Rising costs and the loss of development partners can quickly lead to such projects failing or becoming inefficient.

Future prospects in Danish B2B e-commerce

The Danish B2B market is developing rapidly and is increasingly focusing on digitalization and automation. With the generational shift in purchasing departments, the pressure on companies to optimize their digital platforms and focus on the customer experience will increase. The tendency to develop in-house could hinder progress in the long term if companies do not become open to external solutions that can be implemented more quickly and efficiently.

In comparison, the DACH market is dynamic and adaptable, with a greater willingness to rely on proven solutions that offer a scalable and future-proof basis.

How will Danish B2B e-commerce develop over the next few years? Digitalization and the focus on customer experience will certainly continue to be drivers, but sustainability and speed of delivery will also play an increasingly important role.

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