The economic outlook for Benelux in 2025 paints a nuanced picture. GDP growth is recovering, with the Netherlands expected to rise to 1.6% and Belgium by 1.2% in 2025. Meanwhile, inflation is set to stabilize at 2.4% and 2.9% respectively. These shifts, along with rising wages mean – unlike nearby regions – Benelux consumers will have more disposable income.
But this doesn’t mean they’ll spend more freely. After years of economic uncertainty, shoppers have become increasingly more deliberate with their spending habits. They want every cent to count.
At the same time, Benelux consumer loyalty will be harder to win than ever. Shoppers are sticking to brands they know and trust, with fewer Dutch shoppers seeking out and purchasing from new retailers in 2024.
As an enterprise fashion retailer, how will you leverage fashion retail trends to deepen your brand’s relationship with already loyal customers?
Live Commerce Will Redefine Online Shopping
Live commerce is booming. In the Benelux region, revenue is set to leap from $106 million in 2024 to $142 million in 2025. And with Benelux’s tech-savvy consumer base, brands that hop on the live commerce train will be the first to succeed.
This Benelux fashion retail trend taps into consumer desire for authenticity and immediacy – qualities that resonate with shoppers who are increasingly sticking with brands they know and trust. Live commerce allows shoppers to see products in action, ask questions, and make purchases – all within one app.
But leveraging live commerce successfully isn’t just about going live – it’s about creating an experience that builds trust and drives long-term loyalty.
How to Make Live Commerce Work for You in 2025
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Focus on interactivity: Answer questions live, showcase product details, and highlight user-generated content (UGC) to create a two-way conversation that feels authentic.
- Offer instant purchase options: Integrate “buy now” buttons within live streams, so impulse purchases are seamless for viewers.
- Highlight customer reviews: Include stories or live interactions with satisfied customers to showcase social proof.
- Be transparent: Offer honest product demonstrations, including limitations of certain items. Shoppers appreciate authenticity over polished sales pitches.
- Repurpose content: If core platforms don’t offer live shopping, repurpose highly engaging snippets on those platforms instead to maximize engagement.
Live commerce offers a way to turn new customers into lifelong brand advocates. By focusing on transparency and engagement, brands can build the trust needed to win over even the most selective shoppers.
And live commerce is just one way to foster loyalty in 2025. Download our guide, Fashion Trends 2025: Strategies to Lead in a Trillion Dollar Market, for even more insights on winning the global enterprise fashion market.
Free Shipping and Flexible Returns Drive Loyalty
In the Benelux region, free shipping and easy returns aren’t just perks – they’re a currency for loyalty.
In Belgium, 88% of consumers rank free delivery as a top purchase driver, with 84% prioritizing free returns. And the numbers are just as striking for shoppers in the Netherlands, where 90% say free shipping keeps them coming back.
The smartest brands aren’t offering these benefits to just anyone. Instead, they’re weaving them into loyalty programs to incentivize sign-ups and strengthen customer relationships. When done well, this strategy is a win-win. Customers save money, gain trust in a brand, and become advocates, while retailers foster long-lasting relationships.
How to Turn Perks Into Profit
- Tie perks to loyalty programs: Offer free shipping or extended return windows as exclusive benefits for loyalty program members. This not only encourages sign-ups but keeps customers engaged.
- Build tiered rewards: Provide premium benefits, like same-day delivery or exclusive product previews, for higher spending members.
- Simplify returns: Invest in systems that make returns as seamless as possible. Buy online, return in-store is just one example, but consider offering easy drop-off points and fast refunds.
- Turn returns into an opportunity: Use return data to identify customer pain points and suggest alternatives during the process, reducing lost revenue.
By seamlessly weaving these perks into your loyalty strategy, you’ll easily drive brand affinity and, in turn, repeat purchases. Read the blog on how to turn eCommerce returns into opportunities.
Visual Search Becomes the Norm
Benelux shoppers are tech-savvy and they’re over scrolling endlessly to find what they want. Visual search allows users to upload a photo and instantly find similar products online – a new way to capture consumer attention.
Already, 14% of Belgian consumers and 11% of Dutch shoppers use visual search, to streamline their shopping experiences. So for fashion retailers, visual search represents an opportunity to stand out by offering effortless, discovery-driven experiences that resonate with shoppers who value efficiency.
And it goes beyond eCommerce. Upgrade your omnichannel experience by integrating visual search into your stores. By equipping stores with tools that let customers instantly pull up related products, you can direct shoppers to your website for broader inventory access.
Weaving visual search into every touchpoint won’t just help customers find what they want – it amplifies their shopping experience.
How to Leverage Visual Search
- Upgrade your product images: Ensure all images are high-quality, detailed, and optimized for visual search engines.
- Optimize metadata: Properly tag your products with detailed keywords, making them easier for algorithms to match customer searches.
- Promote visual search features: Educate customers on how to use visual search through tutorials on your app, website, or social media channels.
Visual search simplifies shopping, empowers customers, and positions your brand as forward-thinking and innovative. By embracing AI and AR-driven retail strategies that are gaining traction in other parts of the world, you can create and effortless shopping experience for the tech-savvy Benelux shoppers. Learn more in our US retail trends blog.
Cart Abandonment Rates Continue to Soar
Similar to the DACH region, cart abandonment rates remain alarmingly high across Benelux in 2025. This year, abandonment rates reached 75% in the Netherlands and even higher for mobile shoppers. For enterprise retailers, this is a silent revenue killer that demands immediate attention.
However, the reasons behind abandoned carts are clear: slow loading times, hidden costs, and complicated checkout processes. With consumers growing more selective, trust and convenience are non-negotiable.
Shoppers demand seamless experiences. Over 80% of Belgian shoppers insist on fast checkouts and access to their preferred payment methods. By offering locally trusted payment options, like iDEAL, PayPal, and Apple Pay, you already will have a leg up on the competition.
With the right approach, any enterprise can overcome these hurdles to turn abandoned carts into completed sales.
Tips for Tackling Cart Abandonment
- Simplify your checkout: Reduce checkout steps, offer guest checkout options, and auto-fill customer details to make the process as quick as possible.
- Be transparent: Clearly display shipping costs, taxes, and delivery timelines upfront to avoid surprises at checkout.
- Offer more payment options: In the Netherlands, iDEAL is the preferred payment method, while PayPal and Apple Pay are gaining traction. Catering to these regional preferences can make or break a sale.
- Leverage abandonment emails: Send personalized follow-ups within hours of a cart being abandoned, offering incentives like discounts or reminders of low stock to bring shoppers back.
With these strategies, tacking cart abandonment becomes less of a challenge and more of an opportunity to improve the overall customer journey.
Adapting to Win in Benelux
Success in Benelux rides on your brand’s ability to quickly adapt to evolving consumer expectations. It’s time to innovate boldly, invest in customer-centric solutions, and differentiate your brand in a competitive market. Get more insights on global and Benelux fashion retail trends of 2025 in our guide, Fashion Trends 2025: Strategies to Lead in a Trillion Dollar Market.