Research by Unity Group shows that 80 percent of Polish B2B companies sell online. Yet even despite the pandemic, around 70 percent of decisive survey respondents consider sales representatives, partners and branch offices as key sales channels. Grzegorz Rudno-Rudziński, Managing Partner at Unity Group, sums up the survey and defines the outlook for changes in the B2B market with a focus on competitiveness. (content in Polish)

The government is closing more sectors, while allowing some small retail beyond shopping centres to operate. The lockdown may cost the state as much as 1.2 billion per day. Wholesale stores and building warehouses remain open for the liquidity of the economy. Grzegorz Rudno-Rudziński, Managing Partner at Unity Group, recognizes the proactiveness of Polish e-commerce companies in the last 12 months. (content in Polish)

The growth of e-commerce in 2020 turned into a powerful burst. Although online shopping has been gaining for many years, the pandemic has definitely shot up the trends. While the rise is certain, there is still a discussion about its pace. Grzegorz Rudno-Rudziński, Managing Partner at Unity Group, believes that maintaining the restrictions will further accelerate the growth dynamics, even up to 25 percent. (content in Polish)

B2B is set for growth of online sales. The Polish marketplace, Allegro, assures that it can meet the needs of business purchases, a market estimated at over PLN 340 billion. The company counts on the biggest players. Sebastian Błaszkiewicz, Sales Director at Unity Group, highlights Allegro's chances and reminds that B2B commerce is undergoing consumerisation as customers look for an experience similar to that in B2C. (content in Polish)

Shifting the digital sales channel from a supporting to a leading one is a big challenge that companies have to take on. Management boards of e-commerce companies have used the last few months to strengthen, among others, logistics and IT systems. Grzegorz Rudno-Rudziński, Managing Partner at Unity Group, sums up the state of Polish commerce and observes growing disappointment with the ongoing situation. (content in Polish)

The Statistics Poland Bureau suggests that e-commerce is slowing down. The boom in online shopping triggered by the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown, made the e-commerce industry break the records last year. Grzegorz Rudno-Rudziński, Managing Partner of Unity Group, believes that the growth is certain. According to the expert, the upholding restrictions are able to cause an acceleration at a pace as high as 25 per cent. (content in Polish)

The persistent freeze in the economy, according to analysts, shifts the burden of realizing GDP growth forecasts to H2 2021. Retail sales rose by 5.3% in February, although the January-February period is still a decline of 4.9% y/y. Grzegorz Rudno-Rudziński, Managing Partner at Unity Group, predicts a steady strengthening of the e-commerce share with a possible scenario of its growth dynamics to reach 25 per cent. (content in Polish)

Gathering many sellers in one place is a proven way to success. Marketplaces already account for half of the Polish online retail industry, and opportunities are still emerging. The share of such platforms in purchases is estimated as close to 50 percent, and among all e-shops it reaches about 40 percent. Sebastian Błaszkiewicz, Sales Director at Unity Group, evaluates the advantages of this commerce model. (content in Polish)

Despite the trends, the pace at which digital transformation of business, especially commerce, has progressed over the past few years has been rapid. The numbers gauging sales in the B2B channel were brought to light in the report "Polish B2B Market vs. the Digital Megatrend" (PL) by Unity Group. Experts from PFR, LPP SA, eRecruiter, Selena FM S.A and others were invited to comment on the data.

"The promotion to Advanced level was possible thanks to the team's commitment to competence development and the successful implementation of cloud projects. This is a step on the way to becoming a key partner for the digital transformation of enterprises in our region" – – says Ryszard Łach, Business Unit Director responsible for cloud competence development at Unity Group.

Publio.pl, Agora’s online bookstore that has been operating or 8 years, underwent a major digital transformation in 2020. Experts from Unity Group and Ideacto responsible for the improvements predicted the growing needs of users and technological challenges, including those resulting from exceptional traffic spikes in online channels triggered by pandemic-related restrictions.

The pace at which the digital transformation of businesses, especially commerce, is progressing this year is unprecedented. Experts debating during one of the panels of the conference "The Future of Commerce" organized as part of the SelectChicago FDI 2020 series, tried not only to summarize what has already happened in commerce due to the coronavirus, but above all to outline the direction in which the industry could go.