The Handelsverband Deutschland (HDE) has warned that unfair competition from overseas online platforms is costing the German economy an estimated €2.4bn in annual value creation, including €1.3bn within retail alone.
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Citing a new study by the IW Cologne commissioned by HDE, the association said platforms such as Temu and Shein send around 460,000 parcels to Germany each day, with approximately 12 million entering the EU daily in 2025.
HDE alleges that repeated breaches of EU rules by some non-EU operators are creating an uneven playing field for domestic retailers, which face stricter regulatory oversight and full tax compliance.
According to the report, Germany's federal, state and municipal authorities are also losing around €429m in annual tax revenues linked to the issue. More than 40,000 jobs are estimated to be affected nationwide, including 28,300 in retail.
HDE president Alexander von Preen said policymakers must act more decisively, arguing that mass rule violations are damaging retailers and the wider economy. He called for stronger customs enforcement, including targeted parcel inspections similar to measures introduced in France.
The association also renewed demands that every third-country retailer or platform operating in the EU should appoint a financially solvent and reachable representative within the bloc, allowing sanctions to be enforced where breaches occur.
The study was based on a representative survey of 4,000 respondents aged 16 to 69, conducted in February 2026.
The debate adds to growing pressure across Europe for tighter oversight of cross-border ecommerce platforms and product compliance standards.
Source: www.moebelmarkt.de
More information:
The Handelsverband Deutschland (HDE)
www.einzelhandel.de
