The EU's proposal to ban online retailers from treating consumers differently based on their location could be a 'severe blow' for domestic online businesses, according to Dansk Erhverv, the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
A ban on 'geoblocking', as it is called, would make it easier for customers to buy products from other EU countries over the internet, but could be costly for Denmark-based retailers.
"It would be a serious blow to Danish internet shops, especially the little ones," said Dansk Erhverv spokesperson Lone Rasmussen.
Disadvantages
Rasmussen said that while it may not affect the major online stores, smaller businesses may close or choose to stop selling online as a result of increases in cost. "This benefits neither consumers nor businesses," she added.
Consumers could also be negatively affected by having to pay extra for shipping, or dealing with a business in a foreign language.
"We fear that many will be disappointed and will turn their frustration against the web shops", said Rasmussen.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Sarah Harford. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
