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 Neudorff

07:55 The Onboarding Process for International Sellers

10:47 Underestimated market: Netherlands

14:27 Market Dynamics: The Dutch E-commerce Landscape

21:22 Challenges for International Sellers in the Dutch Market

25:01 Future Prospects for bol and International Sellers

27:05 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-ad

Note 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/2XDfDE0vbHe8h96aXSfyWrvp8zpVs4yHFNCmobskstDVlYZklO5oapv41ZpvF2zPJ

Chapters:

00:00 Adventures at K5 Conference

03:10 Insights from the K5 Conference

05:23 The Future of E-Commerce: AI and Shopping Agents

12:00 The Role of Community and Content in Commerce

18:03 Speed vs. Strategy in E-Commerce

23:54 Understanding the Average Consumer

30:01 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

 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to MediaMarkt's Marketplace Expansion

05:50 The Shift in Marketplace Strategy

10:06 Marketplace Growth and Performance Metrics

14:00 Seller Dynamics and Quality Management

17:01 Competitive Pricing and Seller Advantages

21:19 Marketplace Strategy and Seller Support

25:06 Expanding into New Vertical Categories

28:24 Brand Integrity and Customer Expectations

30:00 Onboarding Process for Sellers

32:46 Quality Control and Seller Performance

35:34 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 Journey

09:00 Diving Deeper into AlphaTrail's Product Strategy

15:13 Marketplace Strategy and Expansion Plans

20:28 Exploring Marketplace Strategies

24:52 The Role of AI in E-commerce

28:06 Understanding Customer Behavior Across Marketplaces

33:16 Data-Driven Decision Making in E-commerce

34:38 Maintaining a Lean Business Model

37:15 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.

Chapters

00:00 Einführung in die Internationalisierung

08:20 Die Herausforderungen der Expansion

11:49 Typische Stolpersteine bei der Internationalisierung

19:04 Compliance und Steuerthemen als Hürden

23:38 Management der Logistik und Carrier-Auswahl

24:44 Herausforderungen im internationalen Versand

27:13 Die Bedeutung von Dienstleistern in der Internationalisierung

31:18 Ganzheitliche Lösungen für den europäischen Versand

36:14 Marktherausforderungen und Strategien für den UK-Markt

40:59 Zukunftsausblick und Expansionsstrategien

Chapters

00:00 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 Overview

06:53 Merger Investigations and Market Impacts

12:47 Nike's Return to Amazon

13:56 E-Commerce Growth in Germany

16:40 Roblox cooperation with Shopfy

17:35 Emerging Trends in E-Commerce

20:12 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.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Polish Marketplace Landscape

11:01 The Rise of E-commerce in Poland

24:05 Challenges for Western Marketplaces in Poland

24:33 Understanding Polish Consumer Behavior

30:27 Allegro's Competitive Edge

35:09 Challenges for Western Brands on Allegro

42:48 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-ad

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Marketplace Challenges

07:29 Transformational Pain in Marketplace Teams

17:32 Navigating Internal Barriers to Marketplace Success

23:20 Strategies for Marketplace Entry

29:26 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#/registration

Chapters:

02:56 Meet Marius Eckel: E-commerce Insights

06:08 Marketplace Strategies and Challenges

08:57 Exploring Temu: Initial Impressions

18:03 Navigating Multiple Marketplaces

21:12 The Impact of New Market Players

24:02 Brand Safety and Market Perception

27:54 Challenges of Selling on Emerging Platforms

30:33 Evaluating Market Trends and Brand Positioning

35:51 The Impact of Global Trade Dynamics