Why your static PDP is dead: The shift to Video
With algorithms changing static images on your product pages become more and more of a liability. Video is the new baseline and AI can help with the transition.
marketplace
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.
JD.com: Built for Control, Not Scale
With the Ceconomy takeover, Chinese Corporation JD.com shows its clear interest in the European market. But who is JD.com exactly, and how do they operate?
Vinted in Europe: Market Position, Growth, and Competitive Dynamics
Vinted is growing rapidly in Europe – but by no means everywhere. While some countries such as the UK and Portugal are leading the way with double-digit growth rates, saturated markets like Germany are noticeably slowing the momentum. The range from -25 to +72 percent clearly shows how differently re-commerce works across Europe. Our overview explains where and why Vinted is gaining market share – and where it isn’t.
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.
Growth Driver January: How Sellers Can Make the Most of bol’s Sale Window
January in the Netherlands and Belgium is not a quiet transition period but a clearly defined sale window that sellers can actively use for growth. On bol, strong demand impulses, lower competition, and stable logistics converge – an ideal mix to boost visibility, clear stock, or launch new assortments. Sellers who plan early, localise effectively, and align their campaigns with bol’s promotional calendar can turn January into a strategic advantage for expansion into NL and BE.