German software trio launches EU-based ecommerce solution

Three German tech companies have teamed up to build a new end-to-end ecommerce platform that keeps all data and processes within Europe. The initiative aims to give online sellers full control over their ecommerce stack while ensuring compliance with European legal and security standards.

The collaboration brings together three players from Germany’s digital ecosystem: STACKIT (cloud infrastructure), Empiriecom (commerce platform), and Adesso (IT services and consulting). Together, they’re creating a solution designed to help European brands and retailers run ecommerce operations with data sovereignty, keeping critical ecommerce data within European jurisdiction and avoiding reliance on non-EU cloud ecosystems.

For Europe’s ecommerce landscape, where digital sovereignty and compliance are increasingly strategic priorities, this project signals an important shift in how commerce can be architected for the future.

Building an EU-centric ecommerce stack

The core idea behind this initiative is straightforward: let sellers control their own data and workflows in a fully European environment. According to the project announcement, the system is built from the ground up with European data protection and digital policy frameworks in mind, rather than adapting platforms originally designed for non-EU markets.

🚀 The new ecosystem includes:

• Cloud infrastructure hosted and managed within Europe
  
• Commerce platform software tailored for European regulations
  
• Integration and support services designed for European merchants
  

By combining infrastructure, commerce software, and professional services under one umbrella, the solution aims to provide brands with a comprehensive alternative to many global platforms that currently dominate European ecommerce.

This approach differs from simply hosting services in the EU. Instead, the entire tech stack, from cloud servers to ecommerce modules and support processes, is engineered to meet European legal and commercial needs.

Why data sovereignty is gaining traction in ecommerce

Across the European digital economy, data sovereignty is becoming a strategic requirement. With regulations such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and ongoing discussions about data transfers and compliance, many businesses are reassessing how and where they store and use customer data.

For ecommerce operations, this has several concrete implications:

• Data residency requirements ensure sensitive consumer and transactional data is stored within EU borders.
  
• Compliance assurance simplifies meeting GDPR and future EU ecommerce regulations.
  
• Risk mitigation reduces dependency on international cloud providers with varying legal obligations.
  

The German initiative arrives at a moment when many sellers and marketplaces are navigating competing priorities: global scale versus regional control. By prioritizing an EU-centric model, the new solution enables European brands to remain competitive while aligning with evolving regulatory expectations.

What it means for European ecommerce sellers

For online sellers and brands, this project could offer several practical advantages:

1. Enhanced compliance and trust — Keeping ecommerce data inside the EU simplifies regulatory adherence and reassures customers concerned about where their information resides.
   
2. Controlled infrastructure — Sellers can avoid being locked into proprietary systems from non-EU cloud providers, giving them greater flexibility to grow and scale.
   
3. Localized performance — With infrastructure closer to European customers, merchants could see improved site speed and reliability across regional markets.
   
4. Integrated support ecosystem — Having one suite of services, cloud, platform, and consulting, reduces fragmentation and streamlines technical operations.
   

At a time when many merchants juggle multiple vendors for infrastructure, ecommerce software, and compliance support, an integrated EU-focused stack can simplify decision-making and lower operational friction.

Competitive context in Europe

German ecommerce has been rebounding and evolving after a period of slower growth. In 2024, online product spending in Germany climbed above €80 billion, signaling renewed momentum in Europe’s largest ecommerce market. Marketplaces continue to play a central role, with more than half of online sales going through platform ecosystems. Sellers face rising expectations for efficiency, personalization, and compliance, all while navigating shifting regulatory landscapes.

Furthermore, cross-border ecommerce remains critical for European sellers. Many brands seek to reach consumers across EU member states, which brings its own challenges around logistics, VAT compliance, and customer experience. Platforms that keep control of data and processes while supporting multi-market operations can therefore offer a strategic edge.

In this light, a European ecommerce stack that prioritizes both sovereignty and scalability could serve as a compelling alternative to global incumbents.

The role of structured product data in a sovereign ecosystem

As ecommerce systems evolve, a consistent and accurate product data infrastructure becomes even more important. Whether merchants sell on their own sites or through marketplaces, structured product information underpins:

• Search and discovery
  
• Pricing and promotions
  
• Inventory synchronization
  
• Compliance with marketplace requirements
  

In multi-vendor environments, discrepancies in product titles, identifiers (such as EAN/GTIN), or specifications can lead to errors, poor customer experience, or even delisting. Platforms built for EU-centric ecommerce should therefore include robust product data management as a core feature of their solution.

This creates a logical fit with services that help brands standardize and syndicate product content across channels. Accurate, harmonized data not only improves buyer trust but also supports international fulfillment, reduces returns, and enhances marketplace performance.

Looking forward

The launch of an EU-based ecommerce platform by German tech companies highlights how regional innovation can address specific strategic needs, from compliance and sovereignty to operational control and performance. While global platforms will remain dominant in many categories, this project offers a credible alternative for merchants seeking to anchor their operations in European standards.

As the digital policy landscape continues to shape ecommerce infrastructure, sellers and brands will increasingly weigh trade-offs between global reach and regional autonomy. Tools and platforms that bridge these priorities, combining scalability with compliance and performance, will likely define the next wave of European ecommerce growth.