Article
Vanessa Stützle, CEO LUQOM GROUP
About Kassenzone
E-commerce is a topic close to the heart of Etribes managing director Karo Junker de Neui. That's why Kassenzone podcast host Alexander Graf didn't have to ask twice whether she would like to regularly take over individual episodes of the most successful German podcast on e-commerce and digitalization. Every week, CEOs from retailers, brands and manufacturers talk there about their unique business models and e-commerce strategies. In “Kassenzone mit Karo,” Karo wants to look to the future in particular and discuss upcoming macro trends and changes under the motto “E-Commerce 2030.”
Content | LUQOM podcast
Vanessa Stützle has already been a guest on Kassenzone several times. As CEO of the LUQOM Group and former CDO at Douglas, she repeatedly brings valuable insights to the Kassenzone interviews.
In this episode, Karo and Vanessa look together at the status quo of the German e-commerce landscape, discuss the current BEVH quarterly figures and talk about which adjustments companies should derive from them. In this context, the two e-commerce experts also address the strategies of Asian competitors such as TEMU and SHEIN, the potential threat they pose and the necessary conclusions for the market. Of course, Vanessa also gives an update on LUQOM. Vanessa and Karo discuss the importance of private labels, the valuable B2B business segment and the use of AI to simplify product development and expand the product range in a meaningful, AI-based way. An episode for anyone looking for optimism in German e-commerce.
Key insights (AI-generated)
Industry outlook
🔮 1/3 of German e-commerce companies are planning an increase in sales for 2024, while 2/3 expect stagnation or a decline, which points to a cautious industry outlook.
📊 The e-commerce industry is still in recession mode, with Q2 2024 being the first flat quarter compared to 2022, which is seen as a positive sign.
Adaptation strategies
🔄 Companies should reduce risks, monetize customer access and optimize their product range by focusing on relevance and exclusivity in order to adapt to current market conditions.
🌐 European companies need clear strategies, strong value propositions and clean, agile processes to be able to compete with the fast-growing Chinese companies.
Emerging channels and technologies
📱TikTok and WhatsApp are becoming important e-commerce channels in Germany, with AI-driven conversational commerce representing a potential quantum leap for companies.
🤖 LUQOM tests conversational commerce with its employees and sees it as an important competitive advantage.
Market dynamics
👗 Fashion remains a strong e-commerce category due to its high purchase frequency, but faces fierce competition from Chinese providers and European giants such as Amazon, SALMON and ASOS.
🏠 The Home & Living sector offers opportunities for own brands and private labels, as there are no mainstream brands, which makes high profit margins possible.
LUQOM's growth strategies
🚀 LUQOM's technology transformation in 2023 included a new ERP system and a shop system that enables expansion into 9 more countries in 2024.
🛒 LUQOM has introduced a marketplace with external brands that improves logistics and sustainability by enabling direct shipping to customers.
🧠 LUQOM uses AI to optimize the product range, develop products based on trends, improve purchasing conditions and create 3D models and images for products.
🏗️ Despite a weak construction industry due to high interest rates and political factors, LUQOM is preparing for the post-COVID market by investing in growth initiatives, international expansion and the development of its B2B strategy.
