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Ecommerce & Marketplaces Newsletter – Jan 5th, 2024

Jan 5, 2024 | Newsletter

In our opening edition of 2024, we are excited to announce “Marketplace Monetization: How to Make Money as a Multi-Vendor Ecommerce Operator,” a new 258-page book focusing on ways to optimize the profit of any retail or B2B commerce ecosystem that will launch at the National Retail Federation Big Show on January 14th. Authored by digital commerce industry veteran Tom M McFadyen, author of the Amazon best-selling “Marketplace Best Practices,” this book is a treasure trove of actionable strategies containing deep insights into how an online marketplace can make money. Want to learn how to create a strong seller strategy for your Marketplace & Dropship platforms? In the recently concluded Marketing for Technology session, Michael Joules, Head Of Marketplaces at Pertemba, and Tom Evans, Head of Retail UK/IE & Nordics at Mirakl, provide valuable insights on navigating the ever-changing landscape of marketplace and dropship platforms. The future of retail lies in adeptly navigating this evolving landscape, making strategic market selections, and fostering collaborative relationships. As costs continue to increase and inflation rates fluctuate, consumers find their spending power increasingly constrained. Nevertheless, despite having less disposable income, there is still some positive news for the retail industry. Antoine Jouteau, CEO of Adevinta, discusses sustainable ecommerce and how marketplaces can play a part in the circular economy. The speed of transformation in the retail marketplaces and retail media sector is accelerating. In addition to numerous other advancements, 2023 saw significant milestones, such as integrating generative AI into the online shopping journey, establishing the groundwork for standardizing retail media measurement, and the collapse of the most prominent Amazon aggregator. Media Street and Retail Info Systems present online media and retail trends to watch out for in 2024. Read this and other great stories in this week’s edition.

Notable news from the past week


BOOK Launch – Marketplace Monetization: How to Make Money as a Multi-Vendor Ecommerce Operator

Marketplace Monetization is a comprehensive guide to unlocking the secrets of monetizing every possible aspect of a multi-vendor ecommerce site. Authored by digital commerce industry veteran Tom McFadyen, author of the Amazon best-selling Marketplace Best Practices, and a team of experts, this book is a treasure trove of actionable strategies containing deep insights into the various ways in which an online marketplace can make money. Take a dive deep into a myriad of market-tested monetization models that have propelled many such businesses to success. From the nuances of commissions and subscriptions, to the potential of embedded financial services, and the profit-making power of retail media, this book leaves no stone unturned. You’ll gain a new perspective on cross-border internationalization, data monetization, and explore other innovative methods of generating revenue.

VIDEO : How to Create a Strong Seller Strategy for your Marketplace & Dropship Platforms

The landscape of eCommerce is rapidly evolving, and the recent Technology for Marketing session brought forth invaluable insights into navigating the dynamic world of marketplace and dropship platforms. Join us as we explore the key takeaways from the session featuring Michael Joules, Head Of Marketplaces at Pertemba, and Tom Evans, Head of Retail UK/IE & Nordics at Mirakl. Growth Trajectory: Discover the phenomenal 38% growth of marketplace and dropship businesses in 2022, outpacing overall eCommerce by 6X. Uncover how this innovative model meets customer expectations and drives enhanced revenue and profitability. • Customer-Centric Models: Tom Evans delves into how marketplace and dropship models empower retailers to expand product selections, offering a diverse array to meet evolving customer demands. Real-world examples showcase their success in improving profitability and brand assortment. • Global Expansion: Michael Joules shares Pertemba Global’s journey, emphasising the importance of diversification across 120+ global marketplaces. Learn the strategic approach to rapid onboarding and the significance of reputable marketplace choices.

Online Marketplaces And The Future Of Sustainable Ecommerce

As we start 2024, Antoine Jouteau, CEO of Adevinta discusses sustainable ecommerce and how marketplaces can play a part in the circular economy. The Adevinta online classifieds group include over 25+ digital marketplaces spans consumer goods, mobility, real estate, holiday rentals and jobs, enabling more than 120 million people a month and over a million businesses across Europe to connect and trade. Brands include leboncoin in France; mobile.de and Kleinanzeigen in Germany; Fotocasa and InfoJobs in Spain, Subito in Italy; Marktplaats in the Netherlands and the Canadian marketplace Kijiji. With costs rising and inflation rates volatile, consumer spending power continues to be squeezed. However, despite shoppers having less disposable income to part with, it isn’t all bad news for the retail industry. By offering a wider range of products at competitive prices, online marketplaces enable consumers to make their money go further. And with younger generations also wanting to live more sustainable lives, marketplaces allow them to shop in a way that’s both environmentally responsible and cost-effective.

Embrace These 2024 Ecommerce Trends To Grow Your Business Online

Propelled by unpredictable changes in the market, increasing buyer demand, and technological innovation, the eCommerce sector is under constant pressure to evolve. While online sales are predicted to grow, so are the expectations of buyers. Companies are up against even tougher competition to attract customers online and convert sales. We spoke with leading eCommerce tech experts to get their take on the 2024 eCommerce trends that will drive the growth of online platforms in the year to come. Retail media is projected to reach $176 billion by 2028, surpassing advertising spend on TV. By enabling retailers to monetize their site traffic through sponsored ads, retail media enables retailers to unlock new revenue sources with margins of up to 70-90%. In 2024, retail media will continue to provide both brands and marketplace sellers with unparalleled access and visibility to relevant audiences. Marketplaces in particular will play a large role in the expansion of retail media as third-party sellers are keen on increasing the discoverability of their products and reaching new customers through retail media platforms offering measurable results.

Five Retail Media & Marketplace Predictions For 2024

The pace of change in the retail marketplaces and retail media world seems to be increasing. Among many more developments, 2023 notably saw the introduction of generative AI into the online shopping experience, foundational work on retail media measurement standardization, and the bankruptcy of the largest Amazon AMZN -0.1% aggregator.
But looking forward – what will 2024 bring to brands selling and advertising on retail marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart WMT +0.2%.com and Instacart? Here are my top five predictions as a retail media and marketplace practitioner. Instacart gets the medal for “first to cross the finish line” here, as the shopping app launched this capability early in 2023. Amazon dipped its toe into generative AI earlier in 2023, summarizing customer reviews for products. But 2024 will see more retailers introduce more intuitive chat-bots and ways to interact with retailers to surface brand content, product discovery and more.

Five Retail Trends to Watch for 2024

When it comes to trends to watch, it never fails — there are many buzzwords that seem to pop up year after year. However, as a retailer, if you’re not setting your sights on things such as supply chain, customer experience, or omnichannel, then your business will not withstand the ebb and flow that is retail. Undoubtedly, the retail industry is more dynamic than ever, and does much more than drive the economy. It is one of the most critical ways that the population as a whole has begun to interact, consume, and exchange value. From the very beginning — with the invention of the cash register in 1883 — retail has been a visionary of change, adapting to consumer behaviors with technology. World events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have permanently modified the retail industry, but despite growth post-COVID, recession rumors remain. Although many share the sentiment that retail is forever changed, the truth is shoppers both demand and react to the “new normal.” The industry will continue to adapt, and forward-thinking retailers will be focused on the next normal. Those that prepare for the challenges ahead and embrace these new behaviors and attitudes will be best equipped to weather the storm and, ultimately, will reap the benefits of their efforts.

From Niche to Scale: How to Expand a Marketplace

E-commerce accommodates one-third of US businesses, with over 60% going through marketplaces. Although it’s tough to compete with giants like eBay or Amazon, the industry is enormous, which leaves many uncovered niches and regions worldwide. After creating your own marketplace, you will face certain difficulties. The next challenge is expanding the business. We created a guide for founders covering seven vital aspects you should consider when deciding how to grow a marketplace. Scaling and launching a business are interconnected processes that can significantly benefit from studying real-life successful examples. Analyzing successful ventures provides valuable insights and strategies. Similarly, learning from the experiences of failed marketplaces offers lessons on what to avoid. Furthermore, borrowing standout ideas from industry leaders can lead to innovative and effective scaling approaches. Here are the aspects you should consider including in your scaling strategy.

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The Ecommerce & Marketplace blog by McFadyen Digital is your source for online marketplace and ecommerce best practices, news, and actionable insights.

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