Who’s switched from dropshipping to holding inventory in Europe: what changed in your account?

Matheus Figueiredo · 2026-10-07

Context

Switching from a dropshipping model to holding inventory in Europe is a strategy many e-commerce businesses are adopting to increase efficiency and profit margins. With dropshipping, the seller acts as an intermediary and relies on suppliers for fulfillment, which can mean longer delivery times and less control over product quality. With inventory, you have full control over the product and can offer a faster, more efficient shopping experience.

Delivery times

With dropshipping, delivery times can range from 10 to 30 days, depending on the supplier’s location and the customer’s destination. After switching to holding inventory, those times can drop to 2 to 7 days. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also reduces return rates. It’s essential to plan your logistics to make sure inventory is always available and restocking doesn’t get delayed.

COD

Cash on delivery (COD) is an option that’s gaining traction, especially in European countries. With inventory, you can offer this option with more confidence since you have control over delivery. With dropshipping, COD can be risky because it depends on how reliable the supplier is. With your own inventory, you can adjust operations to meet that demand, increasing your chances of converting. COD can boost sales by up to 30% in some regions, but you need to assess your cost structure and logistics to stay profitable.

Question

For those of you who’ve already made the switch: what were the main financial and operational impacts you saw? Did sales increase, costs go down, or customer satisfaction improve?

Share numbers

Share some numbers! What was the percentage increase in sales after the switch? And how much did delivery times drop? What changed in your account after switching to inventory?