Global E-Commerce: How to Get Stuff There From Here?

Earlier this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos, a panel was convened to discuss the future of international e-retailing. Taking part were the CEOs of major international logistics, supply chain and retail companies. The panel began by tackling the question as to why, despite evidence of substantial interest on the part of many would-be consumers, barriers to effective global e-retailing remain formidable. The panel looked at three major obstacles. The first is the sheer costs involved in shipping products, paying customs duties, relabeling packages and parcels to meet local regulatory requirements, and so forth.