Top 10 eCommerce Companies in France

1) Overview of Ecommerce Companies in France

France is home to some of the best eCommerce companies in the world. If you're looking to start or expand your business in France, you'll want to look at these top ecommerce companies in France. They've got a lot of experience and knowledge in the eCommerce industry. Their journey will give you a foolproof guide to succeeding in the French Market. Plus, who doesn't want to do business in France? It's a great country with plenty to offer businesses of all sizes!

If you are an ecommerce business in France, you might be wondering, what makes them so great? And how can you replicate their success? This blog is going to talk about just that! Here's a look at some of the top players in the French eCommerce scene and what makes them stand out from the rest.

2) Top 10 Ecommerce Companies in France

We have thoughtfully curated a list of the best online stores and ecommerce marketplaces in the French ecommerce sector. The selection ranges from global ecommerce giants like Amazon and eBay to homegrown brands that have garnered equal appreciation and love over the years. Here, you will find labels that sell their merchandise to full-fledged ecommerce platforms that enable lesser-known ecommerce businesses to come to the fore. Keep reading!

1) Amazon

Amazon opened its online stores in France in August 2000. Since then, it has steadily gained popularity and is the premier online shopping platform in France for almost all consumer goods. Amazon, a US multinational company, is among the Big Five in the United States, including Apple, Meta (Facebook), Google, and Microsoft. 

It has single-handedly redefined customer expectations in the age of online shopping. It has revolutionized logistics performance by introducing Same Day and Next Day delivery under Amazon Prime. It has also launched Amazon Transportation Services (ATS) and Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) to improve delivery operations.

2) Cdiscount 

Cdiscount is among one of the most popular ecommerce platforms in France. It was started in 1998 by three brothers. Since 2000, Cdiscount has become a subsidiary of the Casino Group. CDiscount sells various goods and services that can be put under 40 categories, including but not limited to household items, IT, games, toys, tickets, financial subscriptions, and more.

Apart from France, it provides its services to Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Luxembourg. Owing to its growing popularity, in 2006, Cdiscount opened its first physical retail store in Le Bouscat, near Bordeaux. The second store came up in 2011, at Rue du Bac. These stores act as small warehouses or delivery stations where products can be quickly delivered to nearby areas.

3) Veepee 

Veepee, previously known as Ventee-Privee until 2019, is a giant online marketplace in France. Veepee came into being in 2001 to make high-end premium brands accessible to the general public with  50% - 70 % discounted prices. It is operational in 12 countries across Europe. Veepee is an ecommerce retailer that sells consumer goods like apparel, fashion accessories, toys, video games, wines, groceries, designer watches, phones, and more. 

4) Auchan

Auchan is one of France's oldest and most respected multinational ecommerce sites. It was founded by Gerard Mulliez and is primarily owned by the Mulliez family. Auchan features products of various ecommerce businesses on its platform but also has some of its labels. 

It sells products ranging from fitness and sports equipment, Children’s products, biscuits and confectionery, Travel luggage, and Electronics to groceries and home appliances. Auchan is present in several countries worldwide - Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Romania,  Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Taiwan, Senegal, Mauritania, Tajikistan, and Tunisia.

5) Fnac

Fnac, short for Fédération Nationale d’Achats des Cadres, is a French online ecommerce business that offers customers products related to culture, electronic goods, and fashion. Online shoppers can find books, CDs, photography journals, vinyl, musical equipment, films, home cinema, smartphones, tablets, TVs, etc. Beauty and gourmet food products are also available at Fnac. 

To keep the spirit of culture alive, Fnac arranges “Forums” every year, where acclaimed film directors and writers come together to interact with the general public about art, cinema, music, etc. Fnac also holds annual book fairs where authors and politicians gather to talk about literature, culture, society, and the sciences.

6) Apple 

Apple is an American multinational e-commerce company with a significant presence in France. Apple is primarily an IT company specializing in electronics, software, and online services. It is the 4th largest personal computer manufacturing company in the world, with over 500 retail stores across the globe. 

Despite its higher price range, Apple is loved in France for its solid make, ease of accessibility, and customer service. Apart from personal computers, Apple manufactures iPods, AirPods, MacBooks, iPhones, and more.

7) eBay 

eBay is an online auction-style ecommerce shopping platform. It entered France in 2000. eBay specializes in business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and Direct to consumer (DTC or D2C) sales. 

The selling channel is free of cost for buyers, but sellers are charged a certain sum after the number of free listings. eBay takes a small commission on every item sold through its platform. At eBay, customers can find anything from watches, electronics, industrial goods, and home and garden equipment. 

8) CarreFour

CarreFour is an ecommerce company in France that also has a significant presence in several countries worldwide. CarreFour can be defined as a combination of a hypermarket, supermarket, and a convenience store. It has physical stores in over 12200 locations in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and South America. 

It is the 8th largest ecommerce company in the world. At CarreFour, you can find everything from baby care, home improvement, personal care, makeup, fashion apparel, refrigerators, dryers, washing machines, travel essentials, and more.

9) La Redoute 

La Redoute is the oldest company on the list. It began in 1837 to revolutionize the world of women’s apparel and home decor. La Redoute is known for its bed linen collection and is France's third-largest online linen business. Its extreme popularity draws 7 million new shoppers onto its website each month! La Redoute offers its services to 26 countries globally.

10) Leroy Merlin 

Leroy Merlin is one of France's most prominent names in the ecommerce business industry. It is exclusively well-known for home furnishing, automation equipment, gardening tools, and DIY supplies.

Leroy Merlin delivers services to Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, China, Brazil, South Africa, and Egypt. It has several physical stores in each of these locations. 

3) How to Choose the Best eCommerce Company in France? (+ Tips on becoming the best online company)

If you're an ecommerce business, or even if you're thinking about getting into ecommerce, then you need to be aware of the different ecommerce companies out there. Not all of them are created equal. What should you look for when selecting the best company in France for ecommerce? Well, here are some tips to get you started.

3.1) Product Selection

The products offered by an online platform are your main attraction as a shopper. Quality, variety, and affordability should all be part of your buying from a particular brand or ecommerce business. 

Ecommerce businesses need to be selective regarding the products they offer. Online shoppers are fickle, and if they can't find what they're looking for on your site, they'll go somewhere else. That's why it's essential to choose popular products, in demand and easy to ship.

3.2) Price Range

Price range is an essential consideration for online shoppers. It can affect what products they decide to buy and where they shop. To get the most value for their money, ecommerce businesses must set price ranges that appeal to their customers. 

At the same time, logistics experts must know how price ranges impact delivery and shipping choices. By working together, ecommerce businesses and logistics experts can create an optimal shopping experience for online consumers.

3.3) Credibility and Customer Reviews

Customer reviews can provide insights into a product you may not get from the manufacturer's website or other marketing materials. Additionally, they can help to establish trust between the customer and the business. 

When customers feel confident in a business, they are more likely to return in the future and recommend it to their friends. Companies need to focus on creating a positive customer review experience. By responding to reviews and addressing issues promptly, companies can show their customers that they genuinely care about their satisfaction.

3.4) Mobile-Friendly Website

We've all been there. You're scrolling through your Facebook feed when you see a pair of shoes you have to have. So you click on the link, and it takes you to a website that's not mobile-friendly. The fonts are too small, the buttons are hard to press, and the website is tricky to navigate on your phone. 

Chances are, you're not going to bother buying anything from that website. In today's digital age, your ecommerce business needs a mobile-friendly website.

3.5) Shipping Rates

It's no secret that online shopping has taken the world by storm. But when it comes to online shopping, the cost of shipping is often a deciding factor in whether or not to make a purchase. After all, no one wants to pay more for shipping than they did for the item itself. That's why ecommerce businesses need to have competitive shipping rates.

3.6) Delivery Options

As an online shopper, you want to ensure you get your items as soon as possible. That's why it's essential to understand your different delivery options. 

Today’s ecommerce businesses have partnered with logistics companies and SaaS platforms to provide varied delivery options. Some of the hottest delivery services expected by customers include same-day delivery, next-day delivery, COD delivery, on-demand, scheduled delivery, and many more. 

Therefore, before selecting an ecommerce company in France, shoppers must look into the types of delivery services it offers.

3.7) Website Speed

As an online shopper, you're probably familiar with the frustration of a slow website. You click on a product you're interested in, and the page takes forever to load. You leave in frustration and head to your competitor's site. 

It's no secret that website speed is essential for shoppers. In fact, according to a recent study, more than two-thirds of online shoppers will leave a site if it takes longer than three seconds to load. That's why online businesses must ensure that their websites are up to speed. 

3.8) Types of Payment Methods

Have you ever gone online to buy something, only to get halfway through the checkout process and realize that the ecommerce website doesn't have your preferred payment method? If so, you're not alone. 

A recent study found that over 60% of online shoppers abandon their carts because they can't find a payment method they're comfortable with. That's a vast number, costing businesses billions of dollars in potential sales each year.

Online platforms must offer as many payment gateways as possible for maximum customer satisfaction. Covering all bases like net banking, credit/debit card payments, and mobile banking will reduce cart abandonment.

4) Challenges for Ecommerce in France

While the French Ecommerce sector has been steadily growing, there are still some challenges. If you are looking to start an ecommerce company in France and want to see it in the above list soon, you should keep yourself educated. If your platform can overcome these challenges, you will have the edge over your competition in the market. Some of the common challenges faced by the ecommerce sector in France are:

1) Cyber Security

Cyber security poses a significant challenge for the French market. Even though France ranks third in the Cyber Security Index, the ecommerce sector is still prone to cyber crimes. The most common cyber crimes troubling the French ecommerce sector include identity theft, data breaches, and payment fraud. 

2) Ecommerce Penetration

France has the third-highest internet penetration in the European Union. Despite over 90% of the French population having internet access, the ecommerce market penetration is just 52%. This is way below the global average of 55%. Therefore, ecommerce companies still need help to funnel purchases through the ecommerce segment. This is because the French consumer is still attracted to the retail shopping experience. 

3) International Shipping Issues

The European region is known for seamless cross-border logistics. However, reports show that French customers face issues importing products from other countries. The logistical barriers make it difficult for French companies to access a global customer base. 

4) Varied Customer Expectations

France is not exactly a uniform market. While a segment of customers looks for quality and luxury products, another segment looks for Bargain deals. This can seem unclear to the new companies, as they need to pick a side and run with it. New Ecommerce companies need help finding a difference between value and quality, making it difficult for them to make in the market. 

These challenges may seem a bit superficial, but they significantly impact the ecommerce sector. Upcoming technologies are constantly enabling companies to overcome these challenges. That is why it becomes crucial for ecommerce companies in France to keep themselves updated. 

5) Tips to Succeed in the Ecommerce Market in France

The ecommerce sector in France is yet to reach its full potential. With limited market penetration, ecommerce platforms still have to enhance the customer experience actively. Here are a few tips to become one of the top ecommerce companies in France. 

1) Mobile Optimisation

Even though most of the ecommerce orders in France are placed through a desktop or computer, most French Customers access the internet from their mobile. This means it becomes imperative for French Ecommerce platforms to optimize their websites for smartphone users.

2) Use of Marketplaces

Studies have shown that you can quickly get traction on your product through well-established marketplaces. If you want to succeed in the French Ecommerce Space, you will have to make use of the multiple marketplaces that are popular in the region. You can redirect the repeat customer base to your own platform/website. 

3) Delivery Speed

Most orders in France are shipped on the same day and delivered within two days. Therefore, French customers are used to that level of delivery speed. Customers can only abandon their carts if they feel the delivery period is shorter. Therefore, ensure that you are reliable and faster courier partners, delivering your orders quickly and more efficiently. 

6) FAQs

1) Which are the largest ecommerce platforms in France?

France has a diverse ecommerce space with global and local players in the mix. While Amazon France is one of the largest platforms in the country, there are other ecommerce companies like Cdiscount and Auchan that caters to the needs of the French customer base in their unique way. 

2) Is it safe to shop online in France?

France ranks third in the cyber security index. This means the French are extremely vigilant and careful about their online activities. To cater to this need, ecommerce companies in France use the latest security technologies and security protocols to ensure complete safety for their customers. This allows you to shop from the French ecommerce market without having to worry about safety.

7) Final Conclusion

We hope this blog post will help you find the perfect ecommerce company in France. If you need more information about becoming an online store in France, please get in touch with us! Our team is always happy to provide guidance and insight on what it takes to be a successful online retailer or marketplace and how it can stay on top even as competition increases.

Also, remember our tips on selecting the best ecommerce company, as well as some strategies for success with marketing your products better and reaching your target audience!