Author name: Universe

Marketplace Universe News 01.12.2025 – AI bots are becoming marketplaces / Temu expands logistics / Marketplaces neglect security

OpenAI and Perplexity on the Road to an AI Marketplace
Both OpenAI and Perplexity are pushing strongly toward becoming a marketplace with their agentic commerce projects: OpenAI introduced Shopping Research, a product search for ChatGPT that generates personalized buyer’s guides. Merchants can apply for greater visibility through an allow-list process. Perplexity also enables lightweight product data placement via a Merchant Program. What’s still missing for the marketplace transition is checkout.

Marketplace Movers & Shakers in november 2025

Inka Buschmann has moved up the ranks in Ceceba’s E-Commerce team and is now Head of Online Wholesale and Marketplaces.
Ludwig Schirmer, who led Devely’s Digital Unit up to last March, has returned to Europe after a few months in Dubai, and now joins DIY D2C brand Miss Pompadour as new Head of International Growth.
Valentin Lennartz has left Kaufland e-commerce to join UK-based marketplace OnBuy as Regional Manager DACH, supporting its expansion in the German-speaking region.

Octopia portrait at a glace

Service Provider Portrait: Octopia

Octopia is a subsidiary of Cdiscount, founded in 2021, and offers a fully integrated suite of marketplace services. The company combines technology, seller activation, fulfillment, retail media, and product offerings in a single setup. Its core solutions include Merchant-as-a-Service, Marketplace-as-a-Service, and the Octopia Community for multichannel sales.

Marketplace Universe News 17.11.2025 – EU ends de minimis / TikTok Shop goes big for Black Friday / Amazon rolls out FBM Ship+

The European Commission and EU member states have agreed to scrap the €150 “de minimis” import threshold as early as Q1 2026, accelerating action against some 4.6 billion small parcels (91 % of them from China) flooding European markets. The reform targets low‑cost seller models on platforms like Shein and Temu – and signals a major shift for marketplace‑logistics and cross‑border merchants.

Marketplace Movers & Shakers in Oktober 2025

Patrick Bauernfeind became now officially the CEO & Managing Director of Nakoa Digital. Robin Prinsen formerly known as the CEO will stay as a partner. Valentin Lennartz has left Kaufland e-commerce to join UK-based marketplace OnBuy as Regional Manager DACH, supporting its expansion in the German-speaking region. Patrick Sedlmeier has left Kneipp GmbH and joined Douglas as Director Group Retail, bringing his retail expertise to the beauty giant.

Brands on Kaufland Marketplaces - Lego Takeover

How Brands can Strategically grow on Kaufland Global Marketplace

Brands on Kaufland Global Marketplace can do more than just sell – they can stay visible, enhance their brand, and boost sales. Kaufland offers flexible partnership models (Marketplace Seller, Vendor Partner, Content Partner and Advertising Partner), which can be tailored to specific needs. The Brand Relations team provides 360° support, marketing campaigns, retail media solutions, and performance analysis.

Marketplace Universe News 03.11.2025 – Amazon stays strong / AliExpress giant gains ground / Shein sparks protests in France

Amazon reports double-digit sales growth
In Q3 2025, Amazon posted net sales of $180.2 billion, up 13% year over year. Operating income was $17.4 billion (roughly flat YoY) and net income rose to $21.2 billion. Yet the marketplace giant faces mounting headwinds. Agentic & social commerce, U.S. customs policy effects, and seller fatigue could weigh on performance, argues Malte Karstan.

Pixelmoda creates procucr images for the italian retailer Rinascente - Cap

Best Practice Product images – How Rinascente reduces costs with Pixelmoda

Italian luxury retailer Rinascente cut fixed costs by double digits after partnering with Pixelmoda in 2024 for AI-assisted fashion product images. The new hybrid model – 70% visuals from brands, 30% co-produced – keeps the signature “Rinascente look” while also enabling savings in the company’s own studios. Production speed stayed the same, but workflows became leaner and more flexible. AI supports post-production tasks like retouching and color correction, with future potential for generative use – always under human creative control to preserve luxury quality.

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