How global platforms are reshaping consumer expectations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and how ready the domestic e-commerce sector is to respond to these changes, were the central topics of Summer Networking Night 2025 – a business event jointly organized by the eCommerce Association in BiH and the Croatian Business Club in BiH. The event focused on the evolving local online market, from the entry of foreign eCommerce platforms and the need for modernized infrastructure to increasingly complex consumer expectations. It also served as a platform to present the latest findings from the eCommerce Association’s research, which revealed that consumers in BiH are increasingly using mobile devices for online shopping (83.4%), while interest in parcel locker delivery (77.9%) confirms the market’s readiness for more modern logistics models.
Particularly noteworthy were the figures showing the rise in popularity of platforms like Temu, used by more than 42% of online shoppers in BiH. At the same time, over 60% of local web shops report not yet feeling direct competitive pressure. This discrepancy sparked important discussions around the positioning of local offerings, the need to adapt logistics, and the importance of building trust in local brands.
“eCommerce is no longer a separate channel – it’s a strategic direction for economic development. At a time when consumers expect simplicity, safety, and efficiency, local companies must build competitiveness not only against domestic rivals but also against global platforms that are already in the pockets of BiH citizens,” said Orhan Gazibegović, President of the eCommerce Association in BiH.
A similar perspective was shared by Kristina Duno, Secretary General of the Croatian Business Club in BiH, who emphasized that such gatherings strengthen not only dialogue but also the capacity of the business community to recognize the processes shaping the market.
“Summer Networking Night has long ceased to be just an informal gathering. Events like this – especially when grounded in concrete insights and data – directly support the core mission of the HPK: to foster the development of a competitive, innovative, and regionally connected business environment in BiH. For the second year in a row, we are connecting companies that not only share physical space but also face similar challenges in adapting to digital change. That’s where the true value of these meetings lies – in the space between relevant information and open exchange,” she noted.
Data presented at the event also showed that 24.3% of local web shops are already operating in international markets, but only 7.24% of them are satisfied with the available talent pool – highlighting structural challenges in the digital economy. Delivery speed, unfair competition, and shifts in consumer behavior were identified as key factors that will shape the next phase of market development.
Events like this – rooted in the exchange of data, experiences, and perspectives – are becoming an important compass and corrective for companies aiming to make informed decisions in an evolving market landscape.
