This year’s German Sweets Annual Conference kicked off with an e-commerce workshop focused on international online marketplaces and digital sales strategies. The event impressively demonstrated the opportunities that international online trade offers German confectionery and snack manufacturers.
Mira Lester (Walmart Marketplace) explained the possibilities for international scaling via the online marketplace and highlighted the potential that exists specifically for German manufacturers. It became clear that while an existing distribution network in the U.S. is helpful, it is not a mandatory prerequisite for a successful entry into the market.
Claudia Franke (Eberlein & Kunz) and Paul Süllow (Confiserie Heidel) then provided practical insights into selling through Amazon. While Claudia Franke highlighted the requirements of the marketplace as well as organizational and technical aspects, Paul Süllow drew on his many years of experience as a supplier and identified specific success factors for collaborating with the platform.
A special highlight was the exclusive tour of the DHL Express air freight hub in Leipzig. Participants were treated to a fascinating look behind the scenes at one of Europe’s most important logistics hubs and were able to experience firsthand the importance of efficient supply chains for global e-commerce.