British Retail Sales Soar In Europe Thanks To local Logistics Expertise

Retail and wholesale brands in the South East are crediting a local European road freight expert with helping them to secure successful sales ahead of the 2025 peak season.

As a part of one of the UK’s largest independent logistics providers, Europa Worldwide Group, Europa Road in Dartford is working with leading international toy brands to deliver time-critical goods into key European markets.

Known as the ‘Golden Quarter’, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas play a pivotal role in boosting annual revenue in retail and wholesale. In 2024 alone, Black Friday spending reached £1.12 billion in the UK.

For Europa’s customers, delays to deliveries don’t just impact consumer sales – they could also have an effect on the brand’s overall reputation.

Tom Archer, Branch Manager for Europa Road said: “Over the Golden Quarter, retail brands are under extreme pressure to ensure their products hit the shelves on time to meet consumer demand. If they don’t, they cannot compete in the marketplace, and consumer trust in the brand will be hugely impacted.

“The trouble is, there are a few hoops retailers and wholesalers need to jump through to get into European markets.

“Firstly, they must meet complex customs criteria, including Certificates of Safety for toys - which come under a degree of scrutiny when they arrive in Calais.

“Further to this, the Dartford team will often see an increase in shipments by up to 30 per cent over the Golden Quarter, which heightens the risk of congestion at key points in the supply chain.

“As a company located close to London, congestion is something we see every day, and it’s up to us to find ways in which we can guarantee a seamless movement for time-critical goods into European stores – even when things get busy.”

Europa Road’s Dartford transit hub is located on Shield Road, strategically close to the Dartford Crossing – an important artery for British trade.

Its team works with some notable names in British toys, who ship consignments mostly into Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Poland.

Companies relying on the Golden Quarter to improve profitability and keep up that competitive edge have no room for delay. Therefore, logistics providers must ensure they can offer guaranteed, daily deliveries across the EU, while boosting confidence for exporters that products can arrive and be replenished to meet consumer demand.

Adrian Redmile, Branch & Sales Director at Europa Worldwide Group: “At Europa, we believe in taking full accountability for overcoming our customers’ challenges. That’s why, over the past five years, we’ve made significant investments in building a robust and reliable customs infrastructure.

“Bolstering the capabilities of our team in Dartford, we employ more than 100 UK-EU customs experts working hard to ensure a seamless flow of goods. This is pivotal for the South East, which is home to a significant proportion of the UK’s retail and wholesale businesses.”

Europa’s in-house experts can navigate critical compliance documentation on behalf of the exporter, alleviating some of the administrative burdens placed on exporters post-Brexit. Operating alongside 17 other sites in the UK and Ireland, the Dartford team is part of a network serving businesses across the nation.

Europa was also the first to the market with its family of products, Europa Flow, launched initially in 2021 in response to Brexit. Originally a Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) service, which allows retailers to postpone VAT accounting and anticipated declarations, it has successfully provided a frictionless flow of goods between the EU and the UK.

Used in conjunction with a market-leading Money Back Guarantee, the DDP service is desired by retailers and wholesalers who are guaranteed faster transit times – or their money back.

Bolstered by its Money Back Guarantee, 56 per cent of its total groupage exports are transported using DDP.

Adrian continued: “We are constantly adapting and innovating the Europa Flow service for our customers, keeping it operational during legislative changes. For example, in response to changes to French tax legislation coming into force in January 2026, we launched two variants of our existing DDP service which will help simplify UK-EU trade. These are DDP Flow – Importer’s Signature and DDP Flow – Own French VAT Number.

“In addition, the family of Europa Flow products also incorporates a Delivery At Place (DAP) service as well, offering British brands faster, flexible options to ensure they can keep up with demand.”

As an experienced supply chain partner and customs expert, Europa is helping businesses jump through complex customs clearance hoops and avoid transport delays during the Golden Quarter.

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