14 new webshops a day in Belgium

In the coming years, about 5,000 new online shops are expected to launch in Belgium every year, or about 14 per day, according to industry federation BeCommerce . The prediction means that the number of webshops in the country would surpass the number of physical shops for the first time by 2020.

The number of web shops is growing rapidly, from about 10,000 five years ago to nearly 25,000 now, according to figures from BeCommerce. Managing director Carine Moitier expects the industry to continue to grow at a fast pace over the next few years. 

"We can expect an additional 5,000 new shops a year," she told De Morgen. "The bulk of that growth, 70%, will come from retailers who make the switch to sales via various channels, online being one of them."