Entering Germany Beyond Amazon: Why European Brands Should Look at Otto
Otto opens up to European sellers. But what can those expect of the German marketplace giant?
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Marketplace Universe News 16.02.2026 – TikTok Shop doubles GMV / Ceconomy sees online growth / Amazon launches AI ad tool
In 2025, TikTok Shop grew at a rapid pace. According to estimates, its GMV doubled year over year to reach $64 billion. After its home market China, the largest markets are the United States ($15 billion), Indonesia ($13 billion), and Thailand ($11.5 billion). In Europe, only the UK is currently significant, with a GMV of $2.4 billion.
Marketplace Universe News 09.02.2026 – Amazon set to lose pricing power / EU cracks down on TikTok’s addictive potential / Zalando under pressure
Germany’s competition authority has prohibited Amazon from influencing how third-party sellers set prices on Amazon.de through internal platform controls. Amazon may no longer enforce price caps via algorithms, nor apply indirect price parity by penalising visibility.
Marketplace Universe News 02.02.2026 – Amazon plans investment in OpenAI / eBay blocks AI bots / Vinted expands into the US
Amazon is reportedly in talks with OpenAI about an investment of up to $50 billion. OpenAI is seeking a total of around $100 billion in fresh capital. SoftBank also said to be among the potential investors. OpenAI has also set the price for its new ads on ChatGPT at $60 per 1,000 impressions. That’s about three times as much as Meta.
Marketplace Universe News 19.01.2026 – Google pushes standard for AI commerce / Temu catches up with Amazon / OpenAI eyes Pinterest
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, and Wayfair were involved in its development, as they seek to secure their position within the customer journey.
Mercosur and the Marketplace Reality of South America: What It Means for European Brands
The Mercosur brings easier access to the Sout American markets. But what do these look like?
Marketplace Universe News 12.01.2026 – Amazon Shop Direct controversy / Allegro divests in Slovenia & Croatia / No Black Week figures from Amazon
Amazon tests new feature without retailer consent
Amazon is causing controversy with its new feature Shop Direct. The company lists products from third-party retailers without their prior consent. Product data is sourced from publicly available brand websites and purchases are completed via redirects to external shops. However, retailers can request an opt-out. Industry experts are criticizing the unsolicited data scraping – a practice Amazon itself has historically pushed back against.
2025 Marketplace Year in Review: The Great Re-Architecture
As we close out 2025, it’s clear this wasn’t just another year of incremental growth – it was a year of structural re-architecture. The marketplace model has moved from being a “digital shelf” to an integrated, AI-driven, and internationally fluid ecosystem. For sellers, the “Bigger Picture” of 2025 is the transition from managing listings to managing complex, cross-border value chains.
Marketplace Universe News 15.12.2025 – Parcel fee coming in July / No Christmas without marketplaces /Temu emphasizes brand protection
From July 2026, the EU plans to levy a flat-rate tax of €3 on all imported small parcels worth up to €150. The tax is intended as a transitional measure. From 2028, all imports will be subject to customs duty from the first euro. The abolition of the de minimis rule will primarily affect low-cost platforms such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress.
Second-Hand: The Most Important Marketplaces in Europe
Our first Second Hand Quadrant is here – and it clearly shows how rapidly the European second-hand market is professionalizing. Generalist marketplaces are expanding their offerings, C2C platforms are opening up to sellers, and specialized players are strengthening their positions in niche segments. The result is a hybrid ecosystem that offers significant opportunities for merchants.