Marketplace Leaders Circle for Softlines

The Marketplace Universe Brand Community is exclusively for marketplace professionals working for Top-Tier brands and manufacturers selling on B2C marketplaces. Members must be decision-makers with at least several years of experience and a company revenue of at least multiple million Euros from marketplace sales in Europe.

The Marketplace Universe Brand Community runs in structured six-month seasons. Each cohort remains closed during that time, allowing members to build strong relationships and exchange insights in a trusted environment. Exchange happens 24/7 in the available group or 1o1 chats, and in the dedicated Mastermind sessions every three weeks.

Marketplace Universe has close ties with many industry players in the marketplace landscape and is constantly on the lookout for valuable benefits and bonuses for their community. The list of benefits is therefore evolving. At the moment, it includes:

• Exclusive ECDB Research Access: As a Marketplace Universe Brand Community member, you receive exclusive access to a premium research service provided by ECDB.com – your gateway to eCommerce excellence for e-commerce and marketplaces. With a team of over 50 analysts, ECDB delivers reliable insights across 20+ industries and 50+ countries. Your Benefit: One custom research request (approx. 3 hours of analyst work) completely free of charge. Use this benefit to get tailored insights on markets, competitors, categories, or trends that matter to your brand.
• 30-minute expert consulting with Valerie Dichtl or Ingrid Lommer on a marketplace topic of your choice

Exclusive discounts on conference tickets for key marketplace events

No, new members can only join at the beginning of a season. Each season runs for six months, and the group remains closed during this time to build trust and strong relationships within the cohort.

You can apply by submitting an application form. All applications are personally reviewed by Valerie Dichtl & Ingrid Lommer to ensure that members meet the required criteria.

Unlike open LinkedIn or Slack groups, this is a closed, curated community with a strong focus on trust, strategic insights, and peer-to-peer exchange. There are no hidden sales agendas, and the discussions remain confidential.

Membership includes access to:

• exclusive online Masterminds & expert sessions
• 24/7 closed community platform
• Peer networking with top marketplace professionals
• Confidential, non-recorded, discussions & marketplace insider insights

• • VIP discounts for marketplace events and services
  • 30-minute expert consulting with Valerie Dichtl or Ingrid Lommer

• Unpublished industry updates and direct connections to marketplaces, service providers, and other brands

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

Regular Membership costs for one season are €1490 net, but in 2025 reduced introductory prices apply. The introductory price for Softlines: Fashion & Sports is €990, the cohort for Hardlines: Electronics, DIY & Home + Living starts at €1,190, net. Renewal and new member rates vary by season.

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 run for a full six-month season. Once a season starts, refunds or cancellations are not possible.