Rapyd has published a new report “The 2022 Global State of Cross-Border Commerce.” The report assesses the level of organisational readiness amongst businesses for cross-border commerce. Cross-border commerce is expected to reach $153 trillion globally, growing at 5% CAGR.  It remains a high priority in boardrooms in 2022 for 93% of all businesses surveyed across the US and Europe.

The reasons driving companies to pursue cross-border commerce vary. However, more than half (51%) of businesses surveyed believe cross-border commerce is necessary simply to keep up with their competitors. Other reasons to prioritise cross-border commerce include an awareness of new opportunities outside existing markets (57%). Requests from prospects outside of current markets (42%), existing markets are fully penetrated (33%), sales decline in existing markets (26%) and experiencing an economic slow-down (24%).

Gaining prominence

While the opportunity to sell and buy cross-border has clearly gained prominence. Organisations of all sizes and industries are faced with a multitude of barriers as they seek to penetrate international markets. New customer acquisition is the biggest operational challenge according to 36% of businesses, followed closely by risk management at 35%.

Simultaneously, cross-border decision-makers clearly indicated that managing data security risk (52%) and the ability to accept local payments (49%) are most important for growing their cross-border commerce.

“There is no denying that cross-border commerce is exploding and while businesses large and small acknowledge it is a priority. There are serious operational challenges that many organisations need to resolve in order to reap the benefits of this massive opportunity,” said Arik Shtilman, CEO and Co-Founder of Rapyd. “Of the 52% that ranked risk management as most important for cross-border growth, only 27% of those businesses have succeeded in fully implementing a solution. This gap exists across our findings. Despite businesses knowing what they need to do, they have yet to implement the critical tools necessary to successfully access billions of new customers around the globe.”

Key findings and recommendations

Other key findings and recommendations in the report demonstrate necessary business practices such as.

• Localising digital experiences is critical to conversion. From website content with language translation, currency presentation, and customer support teams to accepting local payment methods of all kinds. Localisation will significantly improve customer experience and build the local credibility and trust required for conversion.
• Outsource risk management to specialized vendors. A leading concern for businesses considering cross-border expansion is the numerous risks involved. Businesses can reduce this burden by working with vendors and partners that specialise in areas such as security, fraud, ID verification, and more.
• Integrate cross-border initiatives into an overall business plan. When planning and implementing cross-border initiatives, organisations should consider where else these practices can benefit their business.

The report is based on a survey of over 900 cross-border commerce decision-makers at both SMBs and large enterprises from a broad set of industries across the US and Europe. The full report can be seen here.

Enterprise Times: What this means for business.

Analysts have predicted retail and eCommerce is set to grow in 2022. Organisations are now placing more value than ever before on new, external markets and cross-border commerce opportunities.  It makes sense. After the investment to create and maintain a digital infrastructure that appeals to your domestic target audience.  If that appeal, transcends borders, then it makes sense to tweak that infrastructure, to make your appeal cross border. This may entail adding local preferred payment methods, robust security, local currency and the translation of key product information.

The report assesses not only companies reasons behind cross-border commerce reasons but also their state of readiness. Particularly when it comes to cross-border commerce based on challenges and strategy implementation. Businesses irrespective of size or sectors have faced major challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some decision-makers have decided to grow business through market expansion. This report provides some common sense advice on the opportunities of cross border selling.

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