Europe Is Outpacing the Americas in E-Commerce Growth This Year

Hamburg, February 23, 2026 – Europe is proving resilient in e-commerce, at a 2025/26 growth rate that surpasses the Americas. With year-on-year revenue increases of 8.5%, Europe is ahead of North and South America, which are projected to grow at a rate of 7.7% this year.

This performance is particularly notable given the challenging macroeconomic backdrop. Inflationary pressures, evolving tariff regimes, and rising costs of living continue to test global markets. Yet European e-commerce remains robust, supported by relative financial stability, more effective inflation control in key markets, and resilient labor conditions. These structural advantages are helping sustain consumer spending and reinforce confidence in online retail channels across the continent.

Drilling deeper into the country perspective reveals a more nuanced picture, however. The United States is set at a growth rate of 7.4% from 2025 to 2026. While still solid, this pace reflects mounting pressures from elevated living costs, high levels of consumer debt, and signs of softening in the labor market. By contrast, parts of Latin America are outperforming the regional average. Mexico stands out with a projected growth rate of 11.3%, driven by rapid digital adoption, expanding payment infrastructure, and a growing base of online shoppers.

Within Europe, momentum is increasingly concentrated in the East and South. Even though the GSA region (Germany, Switzerland, Austria) is slowing, reforms and investments across Eastern and Southern Europe lead to higher growth rates. Market that stand out in this regard are Bulgaria (14.2%), Greece (11.4%), and Spain (10.6%). They are building dynamic digital ecosystems that are shaped by mobile-first adoption, alternative payment preferences, and strong social commerce integration.

Friedrich Schwandt, CEO of ECDB says: "Europe’s resilience in the international context exceeded our expectations for this year. At a time when global e-commerce is facing clear macroeconomic headwinds, the continent has demonstrated structural strength. The data reinforces Europe’s position as one of the most strategically important e-commerce regions worldwide.”

About ECDB:

ECDB is a provider of e-commerce market intelligence. At its core, ECDB relies on worldwide, monthly updated transaction data, enriched with comprehensive information on retailers, markets, products, and consumers. Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, with additional offices in London, UK, and Columbus, US, the company employs more than 100 people worldwide. More information: https://ecdb.com/about-us

Press Contact:

David Niemeier

ECDB GmbH

E: press@ecdb.com