Between 2013 and 2023, the retail sale via mail order houses or internet sector in the Netherlands experienced significant employment growth, rising from 10.36 thousand employees in 2013 to 48.61 thousand employees in 2023. This period saw an overall increase in employee numbers driven by the expansion of e-commerce. Year-on-year growth rates varied, peaking at 23.16% in 2015 and stabilizing to 10.86% in 2023. The compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years was 13.96%, reflecting sustained sectoral growth.
Future trends to watch for:
- Emergence and adoption of new e-commerce technologies.
- Impact of artificial intelligence and automation on employment.
- Changes in consumer behavior and preferences post-pandemic.
- Environmental and sustainability trends influencing online retail practices.
- Regulatory changes affecting the industry.
Looking ahead to 2028, the forecasted employee count is 71.74 thousand, representing a forecasted five-year CAGR of 6.11% and an overall growth rate of 34.54%. This suggests a deceleration in growth compared to the last decade, albeit still positive and reflective of ongoing, albeit maturation, sectoral expansion.