Marketplace Leaders Circle for Hardlines

The Marketplace Universe Brand Community is designed for experienced marketplace professionals from top-tier brands and manufacturers actively selling on B2C marketplaces in Europe.

It’s an invite-only circle for decision-makers — typically Heads of Marketplace, Directors, Leads, or C-Level — with several years of experience and a strong marketplace-driven revenue (usually in the multi-million euro range).

Please note: To keep the exchange focused and brand-driven, we cannot accept retailers, marketplace service providers, marketplace platforms, agencies, or consultants.

This is a space built specifically for brand-side professionals who want to grow further through peer learning and shared strategic insights.

• Electronics (Consumer Electronics)
• Home & Living
• Kitchen Appliances (e.g., Cookware)
• Home Improvement (DIY, Tools, Garden)
• Hobby & Leisure (Sports Hardgoods)
• Baby & Kids (Hardgoods, Toys)

The Marketplace Universe Brand Community is structured into six-month seasons with a fixed group of participants. Each season is closed to new members once it begins — to build trust, consistency, and deeper relationships.

The exchange happens on two levels:

1. Continuous peer connection through our private community platform, available 24/7
   Here, members can ask urgent questions, share insights, request support, or connect 1:1 with others in the group — anytime.
2. Online Mastermind Sessions, every three weeks
   These structured sessions are not recorded and focus on real challenges, open dialogue, and shared problem-solving. Depending on the topic, we sometimes bring in external experts or give the floor to members who share their experience on specific platforms or strategic questions.

This space is still evolving — we’re starting with Season 1 of the Marketplace Leaders Circle, and shaping the format together with the first participants. What works, we’ll do more of. What doesn’t, we’ll improve.

 In addition to strategic peer exchange, members of the Marketplace Universe Brand Community enjoy access to a growing set of exclusive benefits — all designed to deliver real, practical value.

Current benefits include:

• Tailored research insights from ECDB – one custom research request included, to support your strategic decision-making
• Amazon Scorecard Access – four free scorecards to evaluate the performance of your Parent ASINs
• 30-minute expert consulting with Valerie Dichtl or an in-depth custom research piece by Ingrid Lommer on a marketplace topic of your choice
• Discounted access to industry events, including Marketplace Convention – more to follow
• Free trial access and exclusive discounts for leading industry publications, including SGI Europe, a trusted source for strategic retail and brand insights in the sports and outdoor sector, and TechBuzz China Insider, a leading analysis newsletter on digital trends in China

These benefits are exclusive to Brand Community members and will continue to grow as we expand our network of trusted partners.

No — new members can only join at the start of a season. Each season runs for six months with a fixed cohort. During that time, the group remains closed to ensure trust, consistency, and meaningful peer relationships.

Every potential member goes through a short interview with either Valerie Dichtl or Ingrid Lommer to ensure a strong fit for the Marketplace Leaders Circle.

We check that each participant is a true decision-maker, currently working for a brand, with relevant marketplace experience and a matching level of revenue.

👉 You can schedule your intro call here.

The Marketplace Universe Brand Community is neither a corporate-driven leadership board nor a self-organized exchange group. It’s an independent, curated space — built exclusively for marketplace decision-makers from leading brands.

We are not sponsored, not platform-owned, and have no sales agenda. That independence is exactly why the Marketplace Leaders Circle is a paid community:
No one is simply “invited” — every member is carefully selected based on experience, role, and marketplace relevance, and contributes financially to keep this space focused, neutral, and valuable.

Unlike self-organized groups, you don’t have to figure out structure, moderation, or continuity yourself.
Unlike leadership boards hosted by marketplaces or service providers, you’re not being steered toward a commercial goal.

We focus on what you need — and when relevant, we occasionally bring in industry experts to complement the group’s knowledge with practical, topic-specific input.

Everything else stays true to our Marketplace Universe “no bullshit policy”:
No pitches. No pressure. Just clarity, trust, and shared learning — from people who face the same challenges you do.

Membership gives you exclusive access to:

• Online Masterminds & expert sessions – confidential, non-recorded, and focused on real marketplace challenges
• 24/7 access to a closed community platform – for peer exchange, urgent questions, and ongoing support
• Peer networking with top marketplace professionals – fostering genuine, strategic relationships
• Exclusive industry insights – get insider knowledge on trends, markets, and competitor strategies
• VIP discounts on marketplace events, tools, and services
• 30-minute expert consulting with Valerie Dichtl or Ingrid Lommer on a marketplace topic of your choice
• Unpublished industry updates – direct connections to marketplaces, service providers, and other brands

These benefits ensure you receive high-level support, actionable insights, and valuable connections to move your marketplace business forward.

No, this community is exclusively for brand-side marketplace professionals. Service providers, agencies, and consultants are not eligible for membership.

No, to maintain confidentiality and trust, Mastermind sessions are not recorded. Members are expected to respect the privacy of all discussions.

Topics vary and will be tailored to the needs of each Leader circle, but include:

• Marketplace strategy deep dives
• Problem-solving in “Hot Seat” sessions
• Accountability partner discussions
• Insights from guest experts and marketplaces
• Brand case studies and best practices

• The fee is always per person.
• A maximum of two people per company can join a circle.
• Rates for renewal or future seasons may vary.

Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory. However, to get the most value, we recommend participating in as many sessions as possible. You can´t swap your seats over to a colleague within a season. If you can’t attend several sessions in a row due to long-term-illness or job changes, talk to us and we will find a solution.

Beyond Mastermind sessions, members can connect via private chat groups, direct 1:1 conversations, and exclusive meet-ups at industry events.

Memberships are valid for the full duration of each six-month season. Once you have confirmed your participation and the season has started, cancellations or refunds are not possible.

Please make sure you’re ready to commit to the full season before booking.