As the Portuguese eCommerce market continues to grow, it’s becoming an increasingly tempting option for British retailers looking to expand abroad. It may not have a large expat community that countries like Spain and France enjoy, but English is widely spoken.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re already sending parcels to Portugal or thinking of entering the market, you need to understand what the average Portuguese consumer wants when it comes to eCommerce delivery.
This article will tell you everything you need to know. We discuss the range of delivery options open to you, which options Portuguese consumers prefer and the best way to approach the market.
An overview of the Portuguese eCommerce market
Portugal is a strong, growing eCommerce market — even if it isn’t the biggest. It is predicted to generate over $5 billion in revenue by 2023, placing it 49th globally. That revenue is expected to grow at a rate of 12% over the next five years, with a projected valuation of almost $10 billion by 2027.
As with other European markets, fashion is the largest eCommerce sector and accounts for over one-third of all eCommerce revenue. That’s followed by consumer electronics, personal care, and toys.
Delivery Preferences
There are multiple delivery options available to consumers in Portugal. But which do they prefer?
Home Delivery
In Portugal, home delivery is a popular choice among consumers for eCommerce purchases. With the rise of online shopping and the impact of COVID, consumers increasingly expect the convenience of having their purchases delivered straight to their doorstep.
In fact, home delivery is the preferred method of delivery for Portuguese consumers, according to research by Mondial Relay. This method is used by 83% of consumers, compared to 59% who pick up goods in-store and 53% who use pick-up points.
Express Delivery
Portuguese consumers aren’t as familiar with express delivery options as other Europeans. Amazon Prime two-day delivery only became available in Portugal in 2021, which means there isn’t the demand for express delivery options as there are in other parts of the continent.
PUDO
In Portugal, PUDO (Pick-Up and Drop-Off) has quickly become one of the most popular delivery methods, used by over half of consumers. This delivery method allows consumers to pick up their purchases at a designated location, often a convenience store or post office, at a time that is convenient for them.
There are thousands of these pick-up drop-off (PUDO) points located across Portugal. CTT has by far the largest number of collection points, with over 2,300 in total, followed by DHL (with 900 locations) and DPD (with over 750 locations).
Other PUDO companies include:
- Sending
- MRW
- Mondial RElay
- GLS
- UPS
- Nacex
Sustainable Delivery
Sustainability has become an increasingly important consideration for Portuguese consumers when it comes to eCommerce delivery options. Many consumers are concerned about the environmental impact of shipping and packaging materials, and are looking for more sustainable alternatives.
The study by Mondial Relay found that one of the reasons over half of consumers like to collect products either in-store or at pick-up locations is the environmentally friendly nature of these methods. It was cited by almost one-quarter (23%) of respondents. At Pro Carrier, sustainability is one of the main qualities that we look for when selecting carrier partnerships to ensure that we are providing the best overall service that we can.
Delivery Costs and Expectations
Portuguese consumers are particularly price-conscious after years of recessions and slow economic growth. High delivery costs have been proven to scare off over half of European consumers, so retailers will have to do their best to keep costs low — or ideally free.
Ship to Portugal With Pro Carrier
If you’re looking to enter the Portuguese market with the right eCommerce delivery solution, our experienced team is here to help. We already help dozens of leading brands ship from the UK to Portugal, using a range of different couriers and delivery options.
To find out more about how we can help your growing brand, speak to an expert today.
