Sales on Bol.com is an attractive opportunity to reach a wide market of customers in the Netherlands and Belgium. However, many sellers struggle with low margins or even losses due to various fees imposed by the platform.
The author of this case study suggests that it’s essential to calculate the real margin correctly, taking into account all costs, including VAT, Bol commission, shipping costs, and product cost. A simplified formula is provided:
Cena sprzedaży brutto
– VAT
– prowizja Bol
– koszt wysyłki
– cena zakupu
= Realna marża
It’s also recommended to:
1. Optimize costs by negotiating with suppliers, finding cheaper couriers, and minimizing returns.
2. Sell bundles or products under your own brand to increase the value of the cart and improve margins.
3. Set a realistic minimum margin for each offer (e.g., 10%) and monitor it dynamically.
The author concludes that selling on marketplaces like Bol.com can be a good starting point, but if you’re not making significant profits despite efforts to optimize your strategy, it may be time to consider building your own e-commerce platform.
