“On a regulatory level, 2025 will be a pivotal year for e-retailers”

What regulatory challenges await e-retailers in 2025?

On a regulatory level, 2025 will be a pivotal year for e-retailers, particularly at the European level. At the same time, fundamental texts were adopted in 2024 and will be put into force in 2025, and because certain laws are already applied but half-heartedly and this year will allow us to get to the heart of the matter.

The DSA which was a major revolution in the legal and regulatory architecture of online commerce, since it introduced new rules regarding marketplaces. It is a text which really illustrates the evolution of e-commerce with the increasingly important role of marketplaces and digital platforms in general. This text has given us a lot of work supporting companies regarding the implementation of this text under European pressure, since the European Commission is very attentive to its implementation in the different Member States. So, 2024 was a break-in period and we will move up a gear this year.

Likewise, the regulation on the general society of products (RSGP) is a very important text for platforms, since it contains provisions which concern distance selling. This came into effect on December 13 and raises a number of operational questions on which we are working with authorities at European and national level to provide answers. This is an essential standard because it affects product safety and therefore directly customer trust. However, it represents a major project, particularly in terms of information regarding product recalls.

We also have a text that promotes accessibility and inclusion which will come into force in June 2025. This is really close to our hearts but represents a technical challenge. And finally, the Digital Fairness Act which is an overhaul of consumer rights to digital order.

Have certain projects been delayed by the dissolution of the National Assembly and the motion of censure?

We are facing a certain political instability which means that discussions around certain texts have been suspended due to the absence of a majority and then the censorship of the Barnier Government.

Since the establishment of the new government, we have remained very attentive to the announcement of the budget which should arrive in the coming months. We must be particularly vigilant because during the budget discussion, various amendments aimed to create taxes on delivery or warehouses which could amount to 35 euros per square meter. These measures are both counterproductive and dangerous for the competitiveness of businesses.

Likewise, we are following with great attention the proposed law to reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion, which could return to the Senate or return to the National Assembly.

With what state of mind are e-retailers entering the year 2025?

What is clear is that e-retailers face a climate of uncertainty, both economic and political. This is particularly due to the fact that the economy is increasingly dependent on the global context. Despite this, we still observed a recovery in consumption at the end of last year, accompanied by encouraging signals such as the good results from Black Friday.

E-retailers are therefore very attentive to market developments, which shows a certain maturity of the sector, which today represents 160 billion euros and more than 200,000 jobs.

In addition, tools such as artificial intelligence bring major progress in terms of competitiveness and online purchasing continues to develop. These are encouraging signs at the heart of a complex situation with which we will have to deal.