Estonians’ shopping habits are increasingly influenced by cross-border e-commerce and courier delivery services. According to the international parcel delivery company Venipak, online stores – especially Asian platforms – are reshaping how people shop and how goods move through supply chains.
Venipak’s data shows a significant increase in parcel volumes from global online platforms, including well-known Asian marketplaces. At the same time, local e-commerce volumes have also grown. According to Statista.com, the rise of e-commerce in Estonia over the last decade has been among the highest in Central and Eastern Europe, with Estonia ranking second after Lithuania in terms of sales volume growth.
“We are undoubtedly seeing growth in parcel volumes from Asian online stores, which people prefer due to the wide selection of products and competitive prices. We also see that online shopping is becoming more of an everyday habit, and people are ordering from e-shops with increasing confidence,” said Andrius Ladauskas, CEO of Venipak.
Furthermore, delivery preferences have shifted: people most frequently choose parcel lockers to receive their purchases, while home delivery via courier is becoming less popular. There is a growing preference for parcel lockers with 24/7 access – a demand particularly evident in cities – meaning people do not want to plan their daily schedules around courier delivery times.
According to Venipak’s statistics, returns to online stores have also become more frequent. “People are ordering more goods and in larger quantities, but they keep what fits and return the rest. While this trend might initially give the impression of larger shopping carts or faster e-commerce growth, the actual reason lies in the convenience and wide selection that online shopping offers,” Ladauskas explained.
In the view of Venipak’s CEO, international e-commerce platforms are playing an increasingly important role in the development of the local market, which is dominated by growing and increasingly international logistics. “In this highly competitive environment, local e-shops stand out for their speed, quality, and customer service.”
“We have built a logistics platform that adapts to market changes and supports the growth of both local merchants and international sellers – from reliable last-mile delivery to cross-border solutions tailored for the Baltic markets. In 2025, Venipak delivered over 21.5 million parcels across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which is 10% more than the previous year,” said Venipak CEO Andrius Ladauskas, emphasizing that Venipak’s role is to enable e-commerce growth, thereby making a valuable contribution to the healthy economic development of the Baltic region.