Direct Marketing and E-Commerce Business to Consumer

Best Products/Services       

French direct marketing for consumer products and services is one of the largest markets in the world and one of the fastest growing in Europe, with a 17 percent growth rate between 2005 and 2006.  This market represents over 5 percent of the non-food retail business in France.  It was valued at USD 22.5 billion (18 billion euros) in 2006, with product sales accounting for 65 percent of total sales, and sales of services accounting for 35 percent.

In 2006, 73 percent of the French used distance purchasing through mail order, Internet, telephone and mobile phones.  A general downward trend has been observed in recent years in sales made through the mail due to rapid expansion in Internet sales. 

The total number of Internet users in France and the total number of commercial websites has increased drastically.  Currently, there are approximately 30 million Internet users and over 19 million online buyers in France.

Retail online sales estimates (B-to-C) in 2006 were USD 14.9 billion (11.9 billion euros) and accounted for 66 percent of total direct marketing sales, while they represented only 8 percent in 2000.  Among total direct marketing sales, France has the highest rate of Internet sales in Europe.  Total online sales of products and services increased by 37 percent from 2005 to 2006, confirming the expected prominent role that the Internet will have in the future of direct marketing sales.  Today 63 percent of Internet users have already purchased on-line, primary services and travel packages, followed by hi-tech and cultural products.  The average purchase on-line is  (90 euros).

Opportunities        

The categories of products that reported the best growth rates in 2006 are miscellaneous services (subscriptions, downloading, tickets sales), consumer electronics; computers, cameras, mobile phones and cultural products; books, CDs, DVD’s.  Purchases of products and equipment for the home also increased by 10%.

Resources

French Direct Marketing Association
(Fédération du E-commerce et de la Vente à Distance – FEVAD):
Website: http://www.fevad.com

E-commerce Trade Association
(Association pour le commerce et les services en ligne – ACSEL):
Website: http://www.acsel.asso.fr

Trade event: Direct Marketing Show (product and service providers to the industry)
MD Expo Paris
Website: http://www.md-expo.com

Embassy U.S. Commercial Service Trade Specialist:
Rose.Marie.Faria@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov – Phone: (+33-1) 43 12 71 49

For data tables and additional information corresponding to this prospect please contact: Rose.Marie.Faria@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

Links to web sites outside the U.S. Government or the use of trade, firm, or corporation names within U.S. Commercial Service web sites are for the convenience of the user. Such links and use do not constitute an express or implied official endorsement or approval by the United States Department of Commerce of any private sector web site, or of the products or services of specifically identified companies or of any of the private entities that may have contributed to a U.S. Commercial Service web site.