Marketplace Talk - April 2024

💳 Ecommerce threatens 45,000 retail stores with closure by 2028

As ecommerce continues to reshape the retail landscape, UBS analysts forecast a stark future for traditional brick-and-mortar stores, predicting approximately 45,000 closures within the next five years.

This shift is propelled by the rising dominance of online giants like Temu and Shein, which intensifies competition and reduces the need for physical retail spaces. Particularly vulnerable are small retailers and specialized sectors such as clothing and department stores, which are already feeling the pinch from higher operational costs and a shift in consumer spending towards essentials. 

The analysis underscores the evolving retail ecosystem where physical stores must adapt to primarily serve as fulfillment and distribution hubs to meet the growing consumer demand for convenience and speedy deliveries.

🇦🇪 Ramadan boosts online marketplace spending by 143% in UAE

During the holy month of Ramadan, online marketplace spending in the UAE has experienced a dramatic surge, growing by 143% as reported by Checkout.com. This increase reflects a broader trend of enhanced trust and convenience in the region's digital payment ecosystem. 

The rising consumer confidence in digital shopping platforms suggests a lasting shift towards online commerce, supported by the advanced security and speed of modern payment systems. 

"This change not only caters to the unique shopping habits during Ramadan but also signifies the dynamic evolution of digital payments and the ecommerce market in the UAE.”

Ashima Sharma,
Account Executive EMEA at ChannelEngine

📈 Kaufland expands to Poland and Austria in the second half of the year

In addition to its marketplaces in Germany, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, Kaufland Global Marketplace will launch in Poland and Austria in the second half of the year. 

With ChannelEngine, sellers can automatically list their products as soon as the new marketplaces go live and potentially reach over 81 million online customers. 🚀

To ensure a successful launch, Kaufland will support you with free services, such as translating product data and processing customer payments in different currencies. 

With its Fulfillment by Kaufland (FBK) service, Kaufland also offers the option of outsourcing logistics processes, allowing for expansion without significant operational effort.

🚛 GLS US expands reach with direct delivery services to Europe

GLS US is redefining its role in the competitive delivery market by launching direct delivery services to and from Europe, enhancing its position as a viable alternative to giants like FedEx and UPS. 

Leveraging the extensive network of its parent company, GLS Group, the carrier now offers expedited transit times, boasting deliveries from the U.S. to major European destinations like the U.K., Germany, and the Netherlands within four to six days. 

This strategic move, coupled with domestic expansions and new partnerships, marks GLS transition from a regional carrier to a global logistics player.

⏯️ YouTube enhances shopping experience with new "Shopping Collections" feature

YouTube has introduced "Shopping Collections" a new feature that allows creators to curate and showcase products in themed collections, enhancing the shopping experience directly from videos. 

In 2023, viewers dedicated over 30 billion hours to shopping-related content on the platform, with a noticeable 25% increase in watch time for shopping aid videos. The feature simplifies product tagging and includes the ability to highlight specific items at precise moments within a video, making it more interactive and transaction-friendly. 

This update not only streamlines the process for creators to tag and earn from affiliate products but also enriches the viewer's shopping journey by making relevant products accessible through creators' videos, Store tabs, and descriptions.

👗 Secret Sales expands European reach with acquisition of Dress-for-Less

Secret Sales, a prominent UK-based off-price retail marketplace for fashion, sportswear, and beauty, has significantly bolstered its presence in Europe by acquiring Dress-for-Less, Germany's leading discount fashion and beauty retailer. 

This strategic move, part of an aggressive merger and acquisition strategy, enhances Secret Sales' footprint across six European territories. Dress-for-Less, with 100 million euro turnover in 2023 and partnerships with high-profile brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, will continue to operate under its existing brand while integrating Secret Sales' advanced backend technology. 

This acquisition not only expands Secret Sales’ market share and customer base but also strengthens its position as a dominant player in the European off-price market, offering extensive benefits to partner brands and retailers looking to optimize their pan-European strategies.

🏆 ChannelEngine is listed as the best marketplace integrator in Emerce 100

ChannelEngine received 5.5 out of 7 stars in the Software category, awarded by users and ecommerce experts, becoming the best marketplace integrator in the industry.

“As we celebrate this achievement, we remain committed to connecting global ecommerce, empowering retailers and brands to unlock unlimited growth across marketplaces.” 

Jorrit Steinz,
Founder & CEO at ChannelEngine

⛔️ Shein to undergo stricter EU regulation as a very large online platform

Shein, the ultra-fast fashion giant, is set to face the European Union's toughest governance rules under the Digital Services Act (DSA), having surpassed the threshold of 45 million monthly users in the region. 

This classification as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) necessitates Shein to undertake rigorous measures to mitigate systemic risks, such as the sale of counterfeit goods and ensuring consumer safety. 

The DSA also requires VLOPs like Shein to maintain a publicly accessible ads library and to allow external researchers to study platform data to evaluate systemic risks. 

With potential penalties reaching up to 6% of its global annual turnover for non-compliance, Shein's designation marks a significant increase in regulatory oversight, emphasizing the EU's commitment to consumer protection and the safe distribution of products online.

📤 Otto is expanding the marketplace, welcoming European sellers amid revenue shifts

Otto, a leading German online retailer, is set to broaden its marketplace by opening up to sellers across Europe, in a strategic move to counteract a recent 8% revenue decline in the fiscal year 2023/2024. 

Despite the downturn, Otto's Gross Merchandising Value (GMV) saw a 2% increase, buoyed by a 33% growth in its marketplace partners, who now contribute a third of the company's total revenue.

Initially, Otto will connect warehouses of German marketplace sellers in other European countries to its platform. Starting next year, marketplace participants from other European Union member states can also offer their products on Otto’s platform, provided they meet Otto’s high standards for quality and sustainability. 

“This expansion reflects Otto's commitment to diversifying its offerings and enhancing its competitive stance in the European ecommerce landscape. This is also a good opportunity for European brands trying to enter the German market.” 

Katharina Caracciolo,
Partner Management  DACH at ChannelEngine

💥 Amazon’s marketplace booms with 5 million new sellers since 2018

Amazon continues to solidify its position as the leading platform for entrepreneurs, adding nearly 5 million sellers since 2018, with 40% of these new merchants joining in the U.S. 

This growth showcases Amazon’s ever-expanding global reach, with daily additions of around 2,000 new sellers, particularly notable in burgeoning markets like Brazil. While the vast number of sellers enriches the marketplace's diversity, it is the top 1% of established sellers who drive the majority of Amazon’s sales volume.

Despite an ever-changing competitive landscape and evolving seller fees, Amazon's marketplace remains a dominant force, continually attracting new sellers and maintaining a dynamic and expansive ecosystem.