news Archive - Marketplace Universe

Marketplace Universe News 01.12.2025 – AI bots are becoming marketplaces / Temu expands logistics / Marketplaces neglect security

OpenAI and Perplexity on the Road to an AI Marketplace
Both OpenAI and Perplexity are pushing strongly toward becoming a marketplace with their agentic commerce projects: OpenAI introduced Shopping Research, a product search for ChatGPT that generates personalized buyer’s guides. Merchants can apply for greater visibility through an allow-list process. Perplexity also enables lightweight product data placement via a Merchant Program. What’s still missing for the marketplace transition is checkout.

Marketplace Movers & Shakers in november 2025

Inka Buschmann has moved up the ranks in Ceceba’s E-Commerce team and is now Head of Online Wholesale and Marketplaces.
Ludwig Schirmer, who led Devely’s Digital Unit up to last March, has returned to Europe after a few months in Dubai, and now joins DIY D2C brand Miss Pompadour as new Head of International Growth.
Valentin Lennartz has left Kaufland e-commerce to join UK-based marketplace OnBuy as Regional Manager DACH, supporting its expansion in the German-speaking region.

Marketplace Universe News 24.11.2025 – eBay Live launches in Germany / Allegro lowers forecast / B&Q now welcomes German sellers

Following the US and UK, eBay is bringing its live shopping format to Germany. eBay Live enables curated live shows in which retailers, brands and influencers can present products and offer them for auction or immediate purchase. Live commerce is a rapidly growing retail segment that is already well established, particularly in China.

EU de minimis 2026: Will Temu & Shein Slow Down?

The EU ends the €150 de minimis exemption in 2026. Retailers expect fairer competition – but experts say Temu and Shein will adapt. What changes now?

Marketplace Universe News 17.11.2025 – EU ends de minimis / TikTok Shop goes big for Black Friday / Amazon rolls out FBM Ship+

The European Commission and EU member states have agreed to scrap the €150 “de minimis” import threshold as early as Q1 2026, accelerating action against some 4.6 billion small parcels (91 % of them from China) flooding European markets. The reform targets low‑cost seller models on platforms like Shein and Temu – and signals a major shift for marketplace‑logistics and cross‑border merchants.

Marketplace Universe News 10.11.2025 – France’s battle against Shein / Zalando pushes into sportswear / TikTok Shop good start in Germany

Shein continues to face significant pressure in France: first, the government initiated to suspend the platform, then on Thursday, 200,000 Shein packages were inspected at Paris’ Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport. The goal: to remove illegal and unsafe products from circulation.

Marketplace Movers & Shakers in Oktober 2025

Patrick Bauernfeind became now officially the CEO & Managing Director of Nakoa Digital. Robin Prinsen formerly known as the CEO will stay as a partner. Valentin Lennartz has left Kaufland e-commerce to join UK-based marketplace OnBuy as Regional Manager DACH, supporting its expansion in the German-speaking region. Patrick Sedlmeier has left Kneipp GmbH and joined Douglas as Director Group Retail, bringing his retail expertise to the beauty giant.

Marketplace Universe News 03.11.2025 – Amazon stays strong / AliExpress giant gains ground / Shein sparks protests in France

Amazon reports double-digit sales growth
In Q3 2025, Amazon posted net sales of $180.2 billion, up 13% year over year. Operating income was $17.4 billion (roughly flat YoY) and net income rose to $21.2 billion. Yet the marketplace giant faces mounting headwinds. Agentic & social commerce, U.S. customs policy effects, and seller fatigue could weigh on performance, argues Malte Karstan.

Marketplace Universe News 27.10.2025 – Amazons “Help to Decide” / $5 trillion in Agentic Commerce / E-commerce growth shifts south and east

Since 2018, Amazon’s logistics workforce in the U.S. has more than tripled to over 1.2 million employees. By 2027, around 160,000 positions are expected to be cut through increased automation. By 2033, this could make more than 600,000 potential new hires unnecessary.

Marketplace Universe News 20.10.2025 – Temu Doubles EU Profit / Italy against Shemu / Ulta Beauty launches marketplace business

The Chinese online e-commerce platform Temu doubled its pre-tax profits in its EU operations. The platform is reaching $120 million, according to its financial statement – despite having just eight employees. Their profits increased 171% in 2024, compared with $44.1 million the year before.