Members of the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) from across the political spectrum have urged the Commission to take urgent action to address the increase in low-cost imports into the EU.

Salvatore De Meo (EPP) drafted a report on product safety and e-commerce earlier this month in the IMCO committee, addressing the surge of low-value goods from third countries that “threaten consumer safety and fair competition, undermining EU standards.”

“These Platforms Target Vulnerable Consumers”

Maria Guzenina (S&D) argued that while the De Meo report was a good starting point, “the urgency to act must be emphasized.” She added, “Parliament should demand more resources for various national authorities, such as market surveillance and customs.”

Guzenina stated, “The De Meo report did not take into account the environmental impact of low-value packages and deliveries. Non-EU platforms have avoided paying any environmental fees and have undermined efforts toward a circular economy.”

She further added, “These platforms target ‘vulnerable consumers’. Ambitious rules on digital fairness are urgently needed to address addictive marketing, gamification, and the use of dark platforms.”

“Amazon, Temu, and Shein Should Be Banned from the EU”

Green MEP Saskia Bricmont likened the flow of unsafe products into the EU to a “tsunami,” asserting that further action is needed to protect consumers and prevent counterfeit goods. She also emphasized the importance of the EU proposing “alternative and affordable consumption models based on local and second-hand products and a circular economy.”

Left-wing MEP Leila Chaibi also called on the Commission to strengthen digital fairness rules, stating, “Amazon, Temu, and Shein should be banned from the EU as long as they fail to comply with EU conformity standards as well as social and environmental norms.”

Commission Unveils E-commerce Strategy in February

The Commission unveiled its e-commerce strategy in February, focusing on better cooperation between the EU and national authorities. On the same day, it announced new actions against Shein under consumer protection rules and emphasized that e-commerce companies such as Amazon, Temu, and Shein are subject to ongoing investigations under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). However, the Commission stated that it would wait one year before evaluating its e-commerce strategy.

European Parliament Approves VAT Reform

In Türkiye, where Nike has the most stores in Europe, labor strikes have started at its retail locations. Approximately 250 unionized retail workers across nine Nike stores in Türkiye have gone on strike due to the failure to reach an agreement on the collective labor contract. The workers are demanding job security and compensation rights in the event of potential store closures.

Nike operates a total of 60 stores across Türkiye. The nine stores affected by the strike are directly managed by Nike, while other franchise stores in the country are not part of the collective labor contract. Unionized workers at Nike are concerned about job security. Following the suspension of e-commerce sales, employees are worried about the company’s future in Türkiye. They are also demanding better compensation in case of layoffs or further store closures. The company recently closed two of its stores in the country.

No Agreement Reached on Collective Bargaining!

In ongoing collective bargaining negotiations between Nike and the union, disagreements have arisen over issues such as bonuses, seniority premiums, meal allowances, and disciplinary committees. The union has stated that it will continue to fight for a contract that guarantees workers’ rights. Currently, the strike affects only the nine company-operated stores, with other franchise locations remaining outside of the process.

Nike confirmed in a statement that discussions with the union are ongoing, but no collective labor agreement has been reached yet. The company stated, “We will continue to work openly and determinedly to reach an agreement with the union representatives.”

Nike Operates 60 Stores in Türkiye

Nike positions Türkiye as a key operational hub within the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. However, the company is facing declining sales in the region in recent quarters. Nike operates 60 stores in Türkiye, a number higher than its stores in France and the United Kingdom.

Nike Suspended Online Sales in Türkiye

On August 10, 2024, after the Turkish government reduced the customs duty limit for international online shopping from 150 euros to 30 euros, Nike suspended its e-commerce operations in Türkiye. Nike’s website in Türkiye still displays a message stating that online orders are “currently suspended” seven months after the policy change. The company states that it cannot guarantee that orders will be “delivered smoothly and on time.” The message on Nike’s website reads: “Unfortunately, due to the recent customs regulations in Türkiye, it is currently not possible to shop on Nike.com or the Nike App.”

Since Nike does not have a warehouse in Türkiye, individual orders were previously fulfilled from distribution centers in Europe. According to the company’s production guide, Türkiye is listed as a manufacturing hub for clothing and equipment, but not for footwear production. Although Nike has suspended its direct online sales in Türkiye, some Turkish retailers can still sell Nike products online under license.

The Australia Post 2025 Annual E-Commerce Report, which provides a detailed analysis of Australia’s e-commerce ecosystem, has been released. The report highlights the growth of e-commerce in the country. According to the findings, Australians spent a record $69 billion on online shopping in 2024. This figure represents a 12% increase compared to the previous year.

E-Commerce Report in Australia: 9.8 Million Households Shopped Online

According to the e-commerce report, 9.8 million households in Australia made online purchases in 2024. The top spending categories were as follows:

• Online marketplaces ($16 billion)
• Food and beverages ($13.6 billion)
• Fashion and apparel ($9.6 billion)

Although online shopping in Australia has reached record levels, the average basket size declined by 2.1% to $95 compared to the previous year due to cost-of-living pressures. This marks the lowest basket value in the past decade. Australian households are carefully managing their expenses and strategically shopping for affordable products.

How Much Did Each Generation Spend Online?

Other key insights from the report include:

• Millennials (Gen Y) – $25 billion
• Gen X – $19 billion
• Gen Z – $12 billion
• Baby Boomers – $10 billion
• Builders – $2.7 billion

According to the Australian e-commerce report, with the rise of social commerce, nearly half of Gen Z and Millennials make a purchase via social media every week.

Northern Territory Leads E-Commerce Growth in Australia

The regions with the highest growth in online shopping were:

• Northern Territory (11.3% growth)
• Tasmania (11.1% growth)
• Queensland (7.3% growth)

“Retailers Cannot Ignore the Shift Towards Social Shopping”

Jordan Berke, founder of global retail consultancy Tomorrow Retail Consulting, stated:

“The integration of content and commerce is rapidly evolving the e-commerce channel, providing retailers with an opportunity to connect with consumers through storytelling. Today, 5 billion people use social media, and retailers cannot ignore the shift towards social shopping. The sooner a business learns how to stand out on social media, the better positioned it will be in the future.”

Gen Alpha Drives Global Spending

As consumer habits continue to shift in favor of online shopping, Gen Alpha is now influencing $8.5 trillion in global spending. Social Researcher Mark McCrindle commented:

“Gen Alpha is not just the next generation of consumers. They are digital natives redefining retail and shaping the future of e-commerce. For retailers looking to connect with consumers, understanding Gen Alpha’s values and preferences is crucial.”

Customer Loyalty is Declining

Today’s online shoppers distribute their spending across an average of 16 different retailers. While this makes price comparison easier, it also reduces customer loyalty.

Gary Starr, Executive General Manager of Parcels, Post, and E-Commerce Services at Australia Post, stated:

“Cost-of-living pressures and high inflation are driving Australians towards major discount events and loyalty programs. Three out of four businesses are concerned that frequent sales promotions are conditioning consumers to buy only discounted items. However, we must acknowledge that Australians love discounts—strategic shopping has now become the norm. During the record-breaking Cyber Sales period, Australians spent $2.2 billion, indicating that consumers are timing their purchases around major sales events.”

Starr added: “As online shopping continues to outpace physical stores, retailers that do not frequently discount throughout the year should consider developing an attractive loyalty strategy. Subscription models, rewards, or point systems can enhance customer retention and drive repeat purchases.”