Dutch e-commerce consultancy OneRetail launches in Belgium

Five years after setting up shop, Dutch e-commerce consultancy OneRetail has launched its first international operation. From its new base in Antwerp, the firm now also supports Belgian retailers with their online and omnichannel endeavours.

According to Tine Jespers, one of three partners of OneRetail in Belgium, the Belgian market provides plenty of opportunities. “The retail and e-commerce market in Belgium is facing rapid change. Specialism in this area is scarce and as a result many companies are struggling to keep up with change.”

With a team of 15 consultants and e-commerce specialists, and a track record at some of the Netherlands’ leading retailers, Jespers believes that the firm is well positioned to successfully nestle its way into the Belgian market.

Data from BeCommerce, the association for e-commerce companies in Belgium, estimates the value of the local e-commerce market at around €11 billion, having enjoyed two years of strong growth (between 5% to 6% per annum). Similar to in other countries, toys, clothes and consumer electronics are the most popular categories purchased online. However, in terms of e-commerce maturity, Belgian retailers still lag behind their counterparts in for example the Netherlands, said BeCommerce CEO Sofie Geeroms. “But front running Belgian retailers are investing thoroughly and are on the verge of closing the gap.” 

OneRetail will seek to leverage its expertise gained in the Netherlands to play a role in this transition. The consultancy was founded in 2015 by Kasper Muileboom and Tachmy Dilmy, who both previously gained years of e-commerce experience at Coolblue, one of the Netherlands’ most successful online growth stories. Muileboom previously also served Vodafone, V&D, Intergamma and Kleertjes.com in online marketing roles. 

Companies that sit on the firm’s clients roster include Miele, Signify, Hema, Shimano and the Dutch railways NS, with the company advising on e-commerce strategy and development all the way through to implementation and delivery. “Customer centricity and data-driven insights is at the heart of our approach.” 

“We now have the unique opportunity to ‘export’ Dutch best practices into Belgium. Similarly, through our on the ground knowledge of the Belgian market we are now ideally positioned to help Dutch retailers and brands build their profile in the Belgian market,” remarked Muileboom.

Jespers concluded; “I am delighted that we are now serving the Belgian market. The market still is in its infancy and is set for a boom.” 

Last year, JBR and Marktlink, two Dutch consulting firms focused on corporate finance and mergers & acquisitions, also entered the Belgian market.