Ecommerce Europe, the European association of online retailers, has announced the election of Gero Furchheim, head of the German e-commerce association, as its new president.

Furchheim takes over from Dutchman Wijnand Jongen, who had been in charge of Ecommerce Europe since December 2019. In 2014, Furchheim was named head of Bundesverband E-Commerce und Versandhandel Deutschland (BEVH), the German e-commerce and distance selling association.

“His vast experience in public affairs, e-commerce businesses and association leadership, in particular as President of BEVH for the past 10 years, will be a great asset that will bring Ecommerce Europe to new heights during his mandate,” said Luca Cassetti, secretary general of Ecommerce Europe. “I look forward to closely working with him and, with the support of the Brussels Secretariat, represent the interests of a sector that actively and greatly contributes to the development of the European economy,” he added.

Furchheim will be busy on three main fronts during his mandate. The first will be fighting against unfair practices by non-European players, by advocating a more level playing field. Secondly, the association will work to harmonise rules between European countries, as well as promoting regulatory concordance between physical and online retail.

“I want to dedicate my term to advancing the completion of the European single market,” said Furchheim, adding that “there is still an enormous untapped potential for growth and innovation. We must make sure that all players, and in particular small and medium-sized businesses, can harness the opportunities that a united Europe promises.”

Ecommerce Europe brings together 23 European e-tail associations and organizations. This year, it has worked behind the scenes to end the tax exemption for parcels shipped into Europe that are worth less than €150, a threshold exploited massively by the likes of Shein and Temu.