Between 2016 and 2023, Malta's retail sale via mail order houses or internet sector showed a significant upward trend. There were 53 enterprises in 2016, remaining the same in 2018, and then rising to 97 units by 2023. Notably, the sector experienced a remarkable annual growth of 35.85% in 2019. Subsequent years saw more moderate growth: 12.5% in 2020, 6.17% in 2021, 6.98% in 2022, and 5.43% in 2023. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the past five years stood at 12.85%, reflecting robust growth.
Looking ahead, the sector is expected to continue growing steadily, with forecasts predicting 124 enterprises by 2028. The five-year forecasted CAGR is 3.78%, with an overall growth rate of 20.39% from 2024 to 2028.
Future trends to watch for:
- Increased digital transformation and e-commerce adoption.
- Emergence of new business models and technologies.
- Regulatory changes impacting e-commerce.
- Consumer behavior shifts towards online purchasing.
