SMEs remain optimistic about the development of e-commerce

According to DHL Express’s 2024 Semi-annual e-commerce studyIn a survey of more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the U.S., 65% of respondents are optimistic about e-commerce sales growth in 2024 compared to the previous year.

This positive sentiment highlights the resilience and growth potential in the e-commerce sector as companies continue to adapt and find new ways to thrive in a changing environment. Only 6% of respondents expect a year-on-year decline, which indicates a high general confidence in the further development of online sales.

However, inflation and shipping costs remain a concern, with 40% of respondents saying they pose the biggest threat to their business and 38% seeing inflation as their main challenge. Similarly, 60% of respondents note that inflation is the most important issue they will track for the rest of the year, compared to other topics such as the presidential election, artificial intelligence regulation and ESG regulation.

The next goal for SMEs this year will be international expansion, with 53% saying this is the biggest opportunity for their e-commerce business. This is further confirmed by priority markets for expansion, with 43% targeting the EU and UK and 29% targeting Mexico and Canada. For 43% of respondents, the most important service DHL offered was speed of international delivery, followed by flexible delivery options (24%).

Overall, SMEs remain optimistic about the growth potential of e-commerce despite economic headwinds. Download the full survey here.