Let's talk Marketplace

Pimkie is the first European brand to use Shein's Xcelerate program – and in return, it faces a lawsuit from its former owners and exclusion from the French industry association. Is this move a lifeline or a massive reputational risk? Ingrid and Valerie discuss this in today's news episode. They also analyze the latest Temu user numbers (spoiler: huge growth!), delve into Amazon and Mirakle’s AI efforts, which are taking Agentic Commerce to the next level, and examine OnBuy’s EU expansion and Allegro’s quarterly figures. A packed episode with an analysis of the key marketplace news from September!Note from the sponsor bol:Did you know that in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas on December 5 is actually more important than Christmas Eve? For sellers, this means the holiday season starts much earlier – and at bol, sales go up by 70% during this period. To help sellers make the most of it, bol offers clear guidelines on pricing, promotions, and delivery speed. With Logistics via bol, for example, you can offer next-day delivery – a real conversion driver, since 40% of all purchases happen after 5 PM. Want to dive deeper? Then join the bol Connect Event on October 20 in Munich! Exchange, networking, great food, and a pleasant atmosphere – register here: https://webforms.pipedrive.com/f/1FQAhq2utHGMMNZzGhclkkFsqGNqo1wgvSiTdjm9GBeEYO7FUsl9cJmi4uTIUn2yDNote for marketplace webinars:This fall, you can deepen your knowledge of key marketplaces in various live webinars, such as:October 13th: Black Week Success on MediaMarktSaturn – How to Maximize Your Sales Potential Register hereOctober 30th: Europe is Calling: Expand to Seven Markets with One Kaufland Account Register hereNovember 6th: How to Join the ABOUT YOU Marketplace – Now Easier Than Ever Register hereOr if you'd like to learn more about bol, check out the recording from September 23th: Start Selling on bol Marketplace – Faster, Easier, Smarter Watch the recording here

Without the right product images, nothing works. But: different style guides, missing samples, questions around color accuracy, videos - all of that can make costs skyrocket fast. Can AI help? Yes - when it acts as an on-set co-pilot for photographers and models, steering lighting, poses, style-guide compliance, and quality assurance. How this works in practice - and why it’s a real performance lever for fashion brands and sellers - is what Ingrid and Valerie discuss with Gianni Serazzi from Pixelmoda.Takeaways:No GenAI renderings: Items are shot for real; AI optimizes the process.Costs down, output up: According to Pixelmoda, up to −70% for photos and −90% for videos at consistent “luxury-grade” quality.Speed in days, not weeks: Turnarounds usually < 5 days, in express cases same day - without compromising color fidelity or consistency.Scaling without style drift: ≈ 3× more SKUs/day and pixel-perfect execution of Zalando, Amazon & Co. style guides.Direct business impact: More content noticeably lifts conversion and reduces returns - Pixelmoda typically reports +5–15% sales and −5–20% returns.Who is it for?Experienced sellers and brand teams (not only in fashion) who treat content ops as a revenue and P&L lever - not a cost center.

ChatGPT is testing in-chat shopping – from product search to recommendations and even checkout via Stripe. No webshop, no marketplace – just conversation. Shopify reacts immediately, blocking AI shopping agents. The battle for the customer interface has officially begun. In this episode, Ingrid and Valerie discuss how AI agents are shifting the power dynamics in e-commerce – and what this means for marketplaces, sellers, and brands. They also unpack the stories behind these headlines:Galaxus pushes international expansion despite heavy lossesTesco builds a massive new distribution centerbol.com opens up to non-EU sellersZalando & About You – merger approved, but many questions remain Note from the sponsor eBay:Selling internationally sounds easy – but the reality often tells a different story. Because shipping abroad is not the same as being truly ready to scale across borders. That’s why our partner eBay has put together a super helpful whitepaper that helps you check your international readiness with a detailed checklist and gives concrete advice on pricing, customer service, inventory, returns – and even how to identify the right markets and products. One highlight: With the eBay Product Research Tool, you can analyze three years of sales data by country and category. So if cross-border commerce is on your radar, download the free whitepaper “From Germany to the World” by eBay right now: https://www.ebay.de/sml/whitepaper-internationalverkaufen Note from  the sponsor base:Base is a SAAS e-commerce solution provider originally founded 2006 in Poland. The platform offers features such as automations for order management, inventory management and fulfilment, a marketplace management tool for lots and lots of B2B and B2C channels, and integration options to include other backend tools in real-time. Base is present in 11 countries, the solution is already used by companies such as OBI, Kärcher, MediaMarkt, Samsung, Decathlon, Intersport, Develey. If you would like to learn more about Base, join us at our Connect Event with Base on September 17 in Cologne. Register right now: https://webforms.pipedrive.com/f/1wBV5bM8AALuEq8GfFLwj7tLJ80w9AZL4cf4DN1nvG4uMLrSOfA5NxaV1X0qvNAC7 Chapters:01:00 AI's Impact on Marketplace Shopping07:40 Galaxus's Internationalization Strategy09:41 Tesco's New Distribution Strategy11:49 Zalando and About You Merger15:30 Bol's Expansion to Non-EU Sellers

What happens when a traditional company like plant protection specialist Neudorff enters the international D2C market? Sure, the first step is Amazon. But what's the second? Local heroes like bol in the Netherlands. In this episode, Tamer Memis and Hassan Imran report on how a digital offshoot becomes a speedboat, why in-house logistics is part of the core business, and how it is possible to go live on bol in less than three weeks. (Spoiler: They did their homework beforehand.) Patricia Lay from bol explains why this is only the case for a few sellers, how bol helps foreign retailers get started, and why bol now also allows non-EU sellers. Note from the sponsor Taxdoo:Imagine this: 1,000 orders and one incorrect VAT rate, and suddenly you've lost $4,000. This is a real risk for many cross-border sellers in Europe. That's because VAT in e-commerce is complex. That's why we've teamed up with our partner Taxdoo to break down what marketplace sellers really need to know about VAT. In our detailed analysis, we discuss when OSS helps and when it doesn't, when a marketplace collects VAT and when you as a seller are still liable, and why an incorrect VAT rate has a direct impact on your prices and margins. You can find the article with a complete overview of EU VAT rates as well as tax rates for the UK and Switzerland here: https://marketplace-universe.com/vat-traps-7-critical-rules-every-marketplace-seller-in-europe-needs-to-know/ Chapters:00:00 Introduction to bol and Neudorff07:55 The Onboarding Process for International Sellers10:47 Underestimated market: Netherlands14:27 Market Dynamics: The Dutch E-commerce Landscape21:22 Challenges for International Sellers in the Dutch Market25:01 Future Prospects for bol and International Sellers27:05 Turning logistical necessity into a success

Men focus on AI, women on community and content – that was the impression left by this year’s K5 keynote. While the male speakers see AI as the ultimate game changer that could make online shops obsolete and secure the dominance of large platforms, the female speakers envision the future in creator and content-driven commerce. In this episode, Ingrid and Valerie discuss these perspectives and highlight where the common ground lies: in action, in speed, and in the importance of content. They also take a closer look at a perspective that is often completely overlooked – that of the consumer who simply wants, - or needs- , to buy at the lowest possible price.Note from the sponsor PlentyONE:Selling on Amazon, Ott0, Zalando, or Kaufland? Then you already know: every marketplace has its own rules, fees, and expectations. But what if you had one clear, structured overview that compares them all – side by side? Our partner PlentyONE, has created exactly that: a free whitepaper that helps you find the right platforms for your products, categories, and strategy. It covers Marketplace access requirements, fees & commissions, fulfillment rules & SLAs - and much more – from Amazon to Zalando. It provides many insights into multichannel commerce and helps you to work out your individual roadmap for a successful multichannel strategy. Get the white paper right here: https://www.plentyone.com/de/multichannel-whitepaper?utm_source=marketplaceuniverse&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=CP_MKT_Whitepaper_Multichannel &utm_content=podcast-spoken-adNote from the sponsor bol:Bol has established itself as a local hero in the Netherlands and Belgium and has become the market leader in the region thanks to a clear focus on customer satisfaction and innovation. It offers more than 42 million products in 28 categories and access to more than 13 million customers. This also makes bol attractive for retailers from neighboring countries. Want to know more about bol? Then look forward to our podcast episode 119 next week, in which we talk to Patricia Lay, Partnership growth manager at bol and, Hassan Imran, e-commerce manager at Neudorff ePeformances, about his experiences with selling on bol.Note from the sponsor eBay:On July 10, we’re inviting a select group of decision-makers to join us for our final live Connect Event  before the summer break – the eBay „Entscheider Dinner“. This exclusive dinner is designed for meaningful conversations, new connections, and fresh marketplace insights in a relaxed setting. A few seats are still available for brand representatives who want to be part of this handpicked group. If you’d like to join us for an inspiring summer evening full of ideas, exchange, and excellent food – register now: https://webforms.pipedrive.com/f/2XDfDE0vbHe8h96aXSfyWrvp8zpVs4yHFNCmobskstDVlYZklO5oapv41ZpvF2zPJChapters:00:00 Adventures at K5 Conference03:10 Insights from the K5 Conference05:23 The Future of E-Commerce: AI and Shopping Agents12:00 The Role of Community and Content in Commerce18:03 Speed vs. Strategy in E-Commerce23:54 Understanding the Average Consumer30:01 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

"E-commerce isn’t complex." A bold statement – especially coming from the Vice President Marketplace at MediaMarktSaturn. But Christian Kollesch means it. In this episode, he explains what’s behind it: the strategic repositioning of the MediaMarktSaturn marketplace, the expansion into new verticals like DIY and Baby & Kids, and the ambitious goal to become Europe’s leading platform for refurbished electronics. He also shares how this transformation is being executed – with hands-on seller support, access to first-party data, and unique services such as Space-as-a-Service. Last but not least, he talks about the marketplace’s international rollout, which is recently live in Belgium and Poland and will soon expand to Turkey and Hungary, all while tripling GMV within just one year. For more Information: https://faq.mediamarkt.de/app/answers/detail/a_id/17006/~/was-ist-der-mediamarkt-marketplace%3F Chapters00:00 Introduction to MediaMarkt's Marketplace Expansion05:50 The Shift in Marketplace Strategy10:06 Marketplace Growth and Performance Metrics14:00 Seller Dynamics and Quality Management17:01 Competitive Pricing and Seller Advantages21:19 Marketplace Strategy and Seller Support25:06 Expanding into New Vertical Categories28:24 Brand Integrity and Customer Expectations30:00 Onboarding Process for Sellers32:46 Quality Control and Seller Performance35:34 Vision for Refurbished Products Market

Five marketplaces in one fell swoop – after 1.5 years of preparation, AlphaTrail is taking the next big step in multichannel distribution. In this episode, Valerie talks to Michael Grundwürmer, CEO & Co-Founder of AlphaTrail, about how the former Amazon-only brand has developed into an international premium brand for bicycle parts and is simultaneously launching on eBay, Otto, Decathlon, Alltricks, and bol. They discuss the biggest challenges, such as finding a suitable logistics provider, the unimagined possibilities of AI, and the power of clear focus – which always trumps pure speed. Note from the Sponsor ChannelEngine:Marketplace fees, middleware costs, pick & pack, shipping, returns processing, and even storage fees - anyone who sells on marketplaces knows that it's often not easy to understand what you're really left with at the end of the day. That's because hidden profit killers can lurk everywhere. To help you get more profit out of your marketplaces, ChannelEngine has compiled 5 tips for greater profitability on marketplaces in a new e-book. It shows how low-margin products can become real profit drivers and why clearly calculated minimum prices are crucial for your profitability. Click here for the 5 tips for greater profitability on marketplaces: https://marketplace-universe.com/5-tips-for-better-marketplace-profitability/Chapters:00:00 Introduction to AlphaTrail and Its Journey09:00 Diving Deeper into AlphaTrail's Product Strategy15:13 Marketplace Strategy and Expansion Plans20:28 Exploring Marketplace Strategies24:52 The Role of AI in E-commerce28:06 Understanding Customer Behavior Across Marketplaces33:16 Data-Driven Decision Making in E-commerce34:38 Maintaining a Lean Business Model37:15 The Future of AI in E-commerce

International verkaufen? Für viele ein Angstthema, für MeineMarkenMode längst Alltag – wenn auch mit reichlich Narben. In dieser Folge sprechen wir mit Timo Bethlehem, Geschäftsführer von MeineMarkenMode, und Julius Komp, CEO & Co-Founder des Cross-Border-Dienstleisters Exporto, über die realen Herausforderungen der Expansion in europäische Märkte: Steuerregularien, Zollformalitäten, Retourenprozesse, Lieferzeiten – und die allzu bekannte Diskrepanz zwischen den Messwerten der Carrier und den Erwartungen der Marktplätze. Außerdem sprechen wir darüber, warum der britische Markt besonders anspruchsvoll ist, wie stark grenzüberschreitende Steuerpflichten interne Ressourcen binden können  und warum DHL für den Versand in die Schweiz nicht die passende Lösung war. Timo teilt seine Erfahrungen mit beeindruckender Offenheit – inklusive vieler schmerzhafter Learnings. „Ich verzichte darauf, alle meine Narben zu zeigen“, sagt er – doch in dieser Folge offenbart er doch einige. Chapters00:00 Einführung in die Internationalisierung08:20 Die Herausforderungen der Expansion11:49 Typische Stolpersteine bei der Internationalisierung19:04 Compliance und Steuerthemen als Hürden23:38 Management der Logistik und Carrier-Auswahl24:44 Herausforderungen im internationalen Versand27:13 Die Bedeutung von Dienstleistern in der Internationalisierung31:18 Ganzheitliche Lösungen für den europäischen Versand36:14 Marktherausforderungen und Strategien für den UK-Markt40:59 Zukunftsausblick und Expansionsstrategien  Chapters00:00 Introduction to International Expansion 08:20 The Challenges of Scaling Abroad 11:49 Common Pitfalls in Cross-Border Growth 19:04 Compliance and Tax Issues as Key Barriers 23:38 Managing Logistics and Choosing the Right Carriers 24:44 Operational Challenges in International Shipping 27:13 The Role of Service Providers in Successful Expansion 31:18 End-to-End Solutions for European Shipping 36:14 Market Challenges and Strategic Approaches for the UK 40:59 Outlook and Future Expansion Plans.

In this episode, Ingrid and Valerie discuss the most important marketplace news from May – and one topic clearly stands out: the proposed merger between Zalando and About You is now officially under scrutiny by the European Commission. Many brands have already received formal inquiries from Brussels. The two explore what this means for brands and the deal’s timeline – and talk about why About You pulled out of TikTok Shop after just four weeks.Also in this episode: Nike is back on Amazon as a 1P supplier, and e-commerce in Germany is growing again – but almost entirely driven by marketplaces. The same goes for the Otto Group, whose improved numbers are largely thanks to its marketplace business.And they take a look into the future: at gaming platform Roblox, which is entering e-commerce with Shopify, and at the potential impact Amazon’s AI shopping assistant Rufus could soon have. Chapters:00:00 Marketplace News Overview06:53 Merger Investigations and Market Impacts12:47 Nike's Return to Amazon13:56 E-Commerce Growth in Germany16:40 Roblox cooperation with Shopfy17:35 Emerging Trends in E-Commerce20:12 Community Building and Future Outlook

“If you can't do better than Allegro, stay at home.” A clear message from Marcin Czyczerski – and a warning to Western platforms that think they can just start up in Poland. The former CEO of CCC/Modivo describes the unique features of the marketplace landscape in Poland – one of the most exciting and challenging e-commerce markets in Europe. Marcin explains why Allegro is so dominant and why Western brands often struggle on Allegro. He assesses the opportunities for other players and reveals what makes Polish retailers and customers tick. Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Polish Marketplace Landscape11:01 The Rise of E-commerce in Poland24:05 Challenges for Western Marketplaces in Poland24:33 Understanding Polish Consumer Behavior30:27 Allegro's Competitive Edge35:09 Challenges for Western Brands on Allegro42:48 The Future of E-commerce in Poland

The biggest challenge in marketplace strategy? Your own company. In this episode, Ingrid talks to Christian Leihner, former Head of Marketplace and E-Commerce at Unilever and Haier, about the internal obstacles that often cause marketplace initiatives to fail – long before the first SKU goes live. Together, we clarify why many marketplace teams consist of nothing more than “an intern and a dog,” how a lack of support from senior management, unclear responsibilities, and a lack of incentives can ruin even the best ideas, and what companies need to do differently to build scalable, strategic marketplace structures from the inside out.Note from the sponsor PlentyONE:Multi-channel is a bit like an IKEA wardrobe: It looks simple, but until you try to put it together. If that sounds familiar, then you might want to check out a new white paper by PlentyOne, because they have put together everything you need to make multi-channel selling work. It breaks down the 10 most common challenges sellers face when entering the world of multi-channel from chaotic tool setups and losing the buy box to inconsistent product content. And they also give you lots of instructions on how to clear these typical pain points in their day-to-day operations. Get your free copy right here: https://www.plentyone.com/de/multichannel-whitepaper?utm_source=marketplaceuniverse&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=CP_MKT_Whitepaper_Multichannel &utm_content=podcast-spoken-adChapters:00:00 Introduction to Marketplace Challenges07:29 Transformational Pain in Marketplace Teams17:32 Navigating Internal Barriers to Marketplace Success23:20 Strategies for Marketplace Entry29:26 Retail Media and Marketplace Dynamics

Temu is on everyone's lips: aggressive advertising, rapid expansion, low prices. But is that reason enough to become active there as a brand? In this episode, Ingrid and Valerie talk to Marius Eckel, Head of E-Commerce & Marketplaces at Selva Technik, about his decision not to use Temu for the time being – even though he is otherwise very open to new platforms. They discuss Temu's current strengths, such as reach, speed, and good terms, but also operational hurdles and price and platform conflicts arising from a Temu listing. Marius explains why he is not writing off Temu, but will continue to evaluate it regularly.Note from the sponsor eBay:Expanding internationally – but how? If you want to learn more about how you can expand your global reach, then the free webinar “Unlock Global Growth Cross-Border Opportunities” from our partner eBay is for you. Isabell Butterwegge from eBay will share best practices and practical tips to help you succeed worldwide. You will learn about the opportunities eBay offers you and the tools available to support you. So mark your calendars: May 20, 2025, 11 a.m. To register, click here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/3017442359025/WN_bUNKInsESEyW2-TLrUlOBw#/registrationChapters:02:56 Meet Marius Eckel: E-commerce Insights06:08 Marketplace Strategies and Challenges08:57 Exploring Temu: Initial Impressions18:03 Navigating Multiple Marketplaces21:12 The Impact of New Market Players24:02 Brand Safety and Market Perception27:54 Challenges of Selling on Emerging Platforms30:33 Evaluating Market Trends and Brand Positioning35:51 The Impact of Global Trade Dynamics

How do you build a successful marketplace? For this episode, Ingrid and Valerie have switched perspectives and brought Pinki Choudhury, a true master of marketplace development, to the microphone. As the strategic mind behind successful marketplace launches such as Tesco, Kingfisher, and Castorama, Pinki knows exactly what she's talking about. She presents her “Super Eight” -  the most important points for a marketplace that pays off - for everyone involved. This episode offers exciting insights into the mind of an experienced marketplace builder and is also a lesson in clear strategy -  not only for retailers with marketplace ambitions.Note from sponsor Taxdoo:Why are less than one percent of tax consulting firms prepared to work with marketplace retailers? Why don't they understand their business? And how can retailers find an experienced tax expert for their marketplace business who truly deserves this title? Roger Grothmann, founder of Taxdoo and former tax auditor, reveals what goes wrong behind the scenes in a very insightful interview, shares his critical insights, and provides valuable practical tips. You can find the entire interview here: https://marketplace-universe.com/interview-what-makes-a-good-tax-advisor-for-marketplace-sellers/ Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Marketplace Dynamics02:45 Understanding Marketplace Success Factors09:10 Key Ingredients for Building a Marketplace24:46 Navigating the Challenges of Fashion Marketplaces33:06 Balancing First Party and Third Party Relationships

The de minimis rule in the US has expired, Trump has raised tariffs on China to up to 145% – what consequences will this have for the global marketplace business? Valerie and Ingrid explore this question in the new episode with the most important news in April. The US move is having far-reaching consequences – Amazon Haul is also affected, as is DHL. There's more news from Kaufland Global Marketplace, Babymarkt.de, Breuninger – and the first real Marketplace Universe anniversary!Note from sponsor eBay:Expanding internationally – but how? If you want to learn more about how you can expand your global reach, then the free webinar “Unlock Global Growth Cross-Border Opportunities” from our partner eBay is for you. Isabell Butterwegge from eBay will share best practices and practical tips to help you succeed worldwide. You will learn about the opportunities eBay offers you and the tools available to support you. So mark your calendars: May 20, 2025, 11 a.m. To register, click here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/3017442359025/WN_bUNKInsESEyW2-TLrUlOBw#/registrationChapters02:50 Impact of De Minimis Rule on US-China Trade05:52 Amazon's Strategy Against Competitors09:04 Marketplace Developments in Germany12:01 Kaufland's Global Expansion Plans14:54 DHL's New Fees and Market Reactions18:02 Political Influences on E-commerce21:10 Celebrating Marketplace Universe's Milestones

Wie schützt man eine Premium-Marke auf Marktplätzen wie Amazon, Zalando oder DocMorris – und sorgt gleichzeitig für Markenbekanntheit?  Diesen Fragen geht Valerie in der neuen Podcast-Episode mit Alexander Hally von Weleda nach. Sein Fazit: Zwei entscheidende Erfolgsfaktoren sind fundiertes Marktplatz-Know-how und eine klare Strategie. Im Gespräch verrät er, warum Weleda auf Amazon konsequent auf eine Vendor-Strategie setzt, wie die Marke auf Zalando gezielt den Sportbereich adressiert und welche Vorteile das Apothekengeschäft mit sich bringt. Außerdem erklärt er, warum er künftig stärker in Retail Media und Content-Optimierung investieren will – und weshalb der eigene Weleda-Webshop (noch) nicht so effizient läuft, wie er sich das wünschen würde.Hinweis vom Sponsor ChannelEngine: Marketplace-Gebühren, Middleware-Kosten, Pick & Pack, Versand, Retourenabwicklung und selbst Lagergebühren – wer auf Marktplätzen verkauft, weiß: Am Ende bleibt oft weniger übrig als gedacht. Denn versteckte Profit-Killer lauern überall.  Damit ihr mehr Profit aus euren Marktplätzen herausholen könnt, hat ChannelEngine im neuen E-Book 5 Tipps für mehr Profitabilität auf Marktplätzen zusammengestellt. Ihr  erfahrt, wie sich  selbst margenschwache Produkte in echte Gewinnbringer verwandeln lassen – und warum klar kalkulierte Mindestpreise entscheidend für die Rentabilität sind. 👉 Jetzt lesen: 5 Tipps für mehr Profitabilität auf MarktplätzenKapitelübersicht: 02:21 – Markenpräsenz & Markenschutz bei Weleda 06:19 – Weleda im E-Commerce: Strategien & Herausforderungen 11:31 – Markenwahrnehmung & Premium-Positionierung 15:39 – Sortimentsstrategien & lokale Anpassungen 17:51 – Exklusivität im Sortiment 20:07 – Vertriebskanäle & Marktplätze 23:40 – Lernprozesse für Beauty-Marken 26:06 – Retail-Media-Strategien 31:21 – Zukunftsvisionen für Weledas Online-Reise

In this episode, Valerie und Ingrid sit down once again with Amazon expert Malte Karstan, fresh from his visit to Amazon’s European HQ in Luxembourg. From low-price strategies to cutting-edge AI features - Amazon is navigating competitive pressure from Temu, TikTok Shop & Co. with new tools and tactics. Together, they explore: Is Amazon Haul a tactical move or a long-term play? Is Amazon on its way to a super app - with features like Rufus, the AI-based personal shopping assistant combined with BuyForMe and the shopping experience beyond its own platform? What are Amazon's interests in making its purchase offer for TikTok in the US? And what does it all mean for sellers?Note from the sponsor Channable:Do you know the e-commerce solution provider Channable? Channable offers a solution that can map trade on more than 2,500 platforms - including marketplaces, of course. Products can be managed, promoted, sold and analyzed across channels and teams. This means that the marketplace team, the e-commerce team, the social media team, performance marketing, all work with the same software. The solution focuses on automation. In addition, integrations are available for common shop systems such as Shopify, WooCommerce or Lightspeed. Find out more at https://www.channable.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Amazon Update05:04 Insights from Amazon's European Headquarters07:25 Amazon's Corporate Atmosphere and Leadership Changes10:53 FBA Fees and Competitive Strategies15:03 Amazon's Low-Cost Strategy and Market Positioning20:22 Amazon's Evolving Strategies27:17 AI Innovations and the BuyForMe Feature29:30 Amazon's Competitive Landscape and TikTok32:53 Navigating Trade Challenges and International Expansion

For brands looking to sell in Germany, it quickly becomes clear that this market follows its own rules, surprising even experienced cross-border sellers – for example, because of the strong dominance of Amazon. In this episode, Ingrid and Valerie explore the question of what really drives German buyers, how they behave in marketplaces, and what that means for brands planning to enter the market. Dex van Hofwegen, Director of Sales & Customer Success at Dutch marketplace integrator ChannelEngine, is also joining us. Dex not only knows what questions international customers have when entering the German market, but also shares exciting insights from a cross-border study on consumer behavior in marketplaces in Europe. Note from the sponsor Kaufland Global Marketplace:Do you want to meet Ingrid and Valerie live again? Then come to the e-Commerce Day of the partner Kaufland Global Marketplace on April 11th in Cologne! More than inspiring 30 lectures on 3 stages await you, for example from Philip Lahm and Michael Menzel from Google. Plus more than 100 exhibitors for everything that is important for the marketplace business and the new format "Speed Connect". With the exclusive promotion code MARKETPLACE-ECD-30, you get 30% off your ticket. So register right away at ecommerceday.de/tickets. Chapters01:53 Understanding the German Market06:07 Consumer Behavior Insights11:56 Marketplace Preferences and Trends18:05 Challenges for International Brands29:56 The future role of Temu, Shein and Tiktok Shop in Germany

It is THE topic that has kept the industry in suspense in recent weeks: the launch of TikTok Shop in Europe. Valerie and Ingrid take a critical look at this in the new newsflash episode of “Let's talk Marketplace”. Because despite the hype, TikTok Shop is not suitable for every brand, every retailer, and every product. They also discuss Shein's rapid growth beyond fashion, the annual results of eBay, Allegro and B&B, and the expansion of Autodoc, MediaMarktSaturn and Amazon Haul. And they talk about Ingrid's and Valerie's new passion project: the marketplace community for brand managers in the fashion, sports & shoes category, launching in June, and hardlines, launching in October.Note from the sponsor Kaufland Global Marketplace:Shipping, returns processing, tax regulations and one-stop shop procedures: the challenges of internationalization are a major concern for many retailers. Service providers such as exporto can help here: exporto specializes in cross-border e-commerce logistics in Europe. You can find out more in the webinar “Selling to post-Brexit UK” on April 8 at 11 a.m., in which Vanessa Schmidt from exporto and Ingrid will take a detailed look at the challenges of cross-border trade with the United Kingdom. Click here to register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_264R7k0nQd6t6hnyapQEeA#/registration Note from the sponsor Kaufland Global Marketplace:Do you want to meet Ingrid and Valerie live again? Then come to the e-Commerce Day of the partner Kaufland Global Marketplace on April 11th in Cologne! More than inspiring 30 lectures on 3 stages await you, for example from Philip Lahm and Michael Menzel from Google. Plus more than 100 exhibitors for everything that is important for the marketplace business and the new format "Speed Connect". With the exclusive promotion code MARKETPLACE-ECD-30, you get 30% off your ticket. So register right away at ecommerceday.de/tickets. Chapters00:00 March Marketplace Highlights04:21 TikTok Shop Launch and Reactions07:27 Marketplace Figures and Trends11:12 Marketplace Launches and Expansions13:01 Shein's Marketplace Evolution19:39 Vinted's Expanding Categories26:59 Looking Ahead to April

TikTok Shop's business is doing really badly in the US and the UK – even if TikTok doesn't say it out loud! But what does this mean for the TikTok Shop launch in Europe and for brands that want to jump on the bandwagon? That's what Valerie and Ingrid discussed in this episode with Ed Sander from Chinatalk. Ed explains that TikTok has clearly failed to meet its own targets in the US and sees that success in the West is taking much longer than expected. He shares many exciting insights into TikTok and live commerce: specific figures on the volume in Asia, cultural differences in shopping behavior, the lack of an agency landscape around live commerce, and the possible market share of TikTok in a few years. And he also knows why TikTok has repeatedly postponed the launch of its shop in Europe and, in contrast to Temu, is proceeding very cautiously with its expansion.Note from the sponsor Kaufland Global Marketplace:Do you want to meet Ingrid and Valerie live again? Then come to the e-Commerce Day of the partner Kaufland Global Marketplace on April 11th in Cologne! More than inspiring 30 lectures on 3 stages await you, for example from Philip Lahm and Michael Menzel from Google. Plus more than 100 exhibitors for everything that is important for the marketplace business and the new format "Speed Connect". With the exclusive promotion code MARKETPLACE-ECD-30, you get 30% off your ticket. So register right away at ecommerceday.de/tickets.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to TikTok Shop and Its Impact10:08 Ed Sander's Insights on TikTok's Performance19:54 Understanding Live Commerce and Its Challenges in the West23:39 The Challenges of Live Commerce in the US25:03 TikTok's Strategy and Market Expectations27:26 Cultural Differences in E-Commerce29:30 Product Suitability for Live Commerce31:03 TikTok's Approach to European Markets34:05 Future Outlook for TikTok Shop and Live Commerce

Sometimes, the question of why someone tells a story in exactly that way is more exciting than the story itself! A good example of this is Zalando: the 2024 annual report and the associated statements are really interesting – especially what Zalando emphasizes and what is no longer mentioned. In this podcast episode, Ingrid and Valerie do just that: they analyze what the numbers really reveal and what it means for brands and marketplace partners – for example, the barely growing marketplace share or the emphasis on independence from About You for the next three years.Note from the sponsor bol:Bol is a leading marketplace in the Netherlands and Belgium, offering over 42 million products in 28 categories to more than 13 million customers. Its focus on customer satisfaction and innovation has made it the regional market leader. The platform attracts retailers from neighboring countries by offering personalized support and local consumer insights. Retailers can benefit from bol's logistics service, returns management, and retail media options. Curious to learn more? Tune in to podcast episode 97 to hear Alex Ciorapciu, Director of International Business, discuss selling on bol. Note from the sponsor Kaufland Global Marketplace:Do you want to meet Ingrid and Valerie live again? Then come to the e-Commerce Day of the partner Kaufland Global Marketplace on April 11th in Cologne! More than inspiring 30 lectures on 3 stages await you, for example from Philip Lahm and Michael Menzel from Google. Plus more than 100 exhibitors for everything that is important for the marketplace business and the new format "Speed Connect". With the exclusive promotion code MARKETPLACE-ECD-30, you get 30% off your ticket. So register right away at ecommerceday.de/tickets. Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Zalando's Financial Results05:59 Understanding Zalando's Narrative and Market Position11:58 Zalando's Revenue Growth and Brand Strategy14:59 Marketplace Share and Brand Approval Challenges18:00 International Expansion and New Market Opportunities20:58 The Impact of the About You Merger30:05 Brand Perspectives on the Merger36:56 Zalando's ZEOS and B2B Growth Analysis