Google pushes Agentic Commerce forward with a standard protocol
Google has introduced a new open standard called the Universal Commerce Protocol (UPC). Its goal is to accelerate the AI-platform shift in commerce by standardizing processes such as product search and checkout via AI bots. Platforms and retailers including Walmart, Etsy, Shopify, Shopee, Carrefour, Target, Macy’s, Wayfair, and Zalando were involved in its development, as they seek to secure their position within the customer journey. However, it remains unclear whether Google’s clout will be sufficient – and whether other major players such as Amazon, Meta, Alibaba, ByteDance, or OpenAI will support this protocol initiative. More on Google (UCP), Profashionals (marketplaces) and Exciting Commerce (major players).

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Instagram is the leading social commerce platform in Germany
Three in ten German consumers shop via social media. Instagram is used the most: 15 % of Germans buy directly on the platform or via redirects to online shops. Facebook follows with 14 % and YouTube with 11 %. Among 16- to 29-year-olds, TikTok is the third social commerce platform, with an adoption rate of 20 %, according to Bitkom. Read more on Ecommercenews 

Shein: Faltering start in brick-and-mortar retail in Paris
Shein’s presence at the BHV Marais department store in Paris has caused major controversy but appears to have generated little revenue. Despite high footfall, sales are reportedly sluggish, partly due to a weaker assortment and smaller discounts than online. As a result, Shein has postponed further in-store rollouts in French department stores. At the same time, an appeals court decision on a potential ban of Shein in France is scheduled for February 5. More on Chip (failure) and FashionUnited (court decision).

Temu’s explosive growth
Around a quarter of all cross-border orders now go to Temu – the same share as Amazon. Back in 2022, Temu’s share was just 1%, according to an IPC study. Together, Amazon and Temu account for nearly half of all cross-border sales. Shein, AliExpress, eBay, and Zalando together make up another quarter. Find out more at Ecommercenews

eBay makes international shipping easier for German sellers
eBay has launched eBay SpeedPAK in Germany, a service that offers sellers a customs-cleared shipping, with import duties already paid. From February 12th onward, new selling fees will also apply on eBay Germany. Read more on Ecommercenews (SpeedPAK) and eBay (fees)

Rumored News

OpenAI eyes Pinterest
Since early January, rumors have repeatedly surfaced that OpenAI is considering the acquisition of Pinterest. If this were to happen, the implications would be significant: OpenAI would gain direct access to hundreds of millions of user-generated content items – highly valuable for AI training. And data is the decisive competitive factor in the AI race. The question Malte Karstan therefore raises is less “why Pinterest?” and more “who’s next?” More on LinkedIn 

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Der Beitrag Marketplace Universe News 19.01.2026 – Google pushes standard for AI commerce / Temu catches up with Amazon / OpenAI eyes Pinterest erschien zuerst auf Marketplace Universe.

The Platform Group (TPG) acquired 100 per cent of CHRONEXT, a German retailer and marketplace for luxury watches which filed for insolvency in August. LinkedIn

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TikTok Shop will likely expand to Spain in December, brands which were approached by TikTok’s mother ByteDance reported. Some merchants have also been encouraged to join TikTok Shop in Ireland, though it’s unclear when that platform would launch. SCMP

German marketplace provider Otto is happy with its new AI-based semantic search. Customers were presented with a lot more relevant Sponsored Product Ads, which led to significantly high click-through rates. Otto

MediaMarktSaturn has expanded its retail media offering to include InStoreAds. Advertisers and marketplace sellers can now also advertise in 650 bricks-and-mortar shops in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Luxembourg, Turkey and the Netherlands. MediaMarktSaturn

Alibaba establishes a new e-commerce business group that unites all of the company’s platforms for the first time. The new unit includes platforms such as Taobao, Tmall, AliExpress, Alibaba.com, Lazada, Trendyol, 1688 and Idle Fish. The aim is to optimise global supply chains. Retail News

Investor News

PSG Equity has made a strategic investment in the ERP software platform provider PlentyONE, which connects brands and retailers to over 150 marketplaces. The PSG investment will be used for international growth and an enhanced product and services portfolio. PSG Equity

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Der Beitrag Marketplace Universe News 02.12.2024 – The platform group acquired Chronext / TikTok Shop in Spain / New Investor for PlentyONE erschien zuerst auf Marketplace Universe.

ebay achieved a turnover of 2.57 billion US dollars in the second quarter, exceeding analysts’ expectations. In particular, the sale of refurbished products as well as car parts and accessories ensured good business. Reuters

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Amazon has set a deadline by which stocks must be replenished for the Christmas season: Goods must have arrived at the logistics centers by October 19 at the latest. Onlinehaendler-News

Amazon has opened a new micro-mobility hub in Berlin, from which 1.5 million parcels are to be delivered annually by cargo bike. Logistik-heute

In China, hundreds of small textile retailers have stormed Temu‘s headquarters. They are protesting against harsh penalties imposed by Temu for returns. Golem

Alibaba is one of the last major online retailers to introduce a percentage fee for its platforms. Handelsblatt

Hidden News

In a webinar held by system manufacturer Mirakle, its customer Home24 reveals that just one and a half years after launching its marketplace (with the Mirakle solution), it is already generating sales of more than 100 million euros. Mirakl

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Der Beitrag Marketplace Universe News 05.08.24 – ebay benefits from refubished trend / New country quadrant UK / Marketplace Unicerse Connect starts erschien zuerst auf Marketplace Universe.

TikTok postpones the European roll-out: Rumor has it that TikTok Shop was to be launched in Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Ireland in July. However, these plans are now on hold for the time being. Bloomberg

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The Platform Group has raised its forecast for 2024: After a very positive Q1 with YoY growth of +18%, the company now considers an annual turnover of EUR 500m to be achievable. LinkedIn

The Hamburg-based retail group Otto is in crisis. A strategy with which Chinese low-cost providers are currently conquering the market should lead back to profitability. Otto Wirtschaftswoche

The Kaufland marketplace achieved a three percent increase in gross merchandise volume in Germany in 2023 compared to the previous year. Onlinehändler-News

Even more service for customers: Amazon expands its A-to-z guarantee. Onlinehändler-News

News from Asia

Alibaba wants to copy the success of Temu and Shein and is not only launching Alipay for the upcoming European Football Championship, but also AliExpress, which wants to make its presence felt in a big way with the Choice service. Exciting Commerce

Der Beitrag Marketplace News 03.06.24 – TikTok Shop later / Kaufland Marketplace +3% GMV in 2023 / Alibaba Sponsors EUro 2024 erschien zuerst auf Marketplace Universe.