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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Zalando has officially entered the Portuguese market to strengthen its position as Europe’s leading fashion and lifestyle platform. This move brings the company’s total footprint to over 25 markets. Portugal is one of Southern Europe’s fastest-growing e-commerce markets, driven by high smartphone penetration, rapid digital adoption and a growing appetite for international fashion brands.
The Marketplace Country Quadrant Switzerland lists the 24 most important players: Local heroes such as Digitec Galaxus and Ricardo, but also international players such as Amazon, eBay and Temu.
OpenAI is rolling out a native checkout in ChatGPT, letting users in the U.S. buy products without ever leaving the chat. The first integrations are with Etsy and Shopify sellers. Users can see product options, select variants, and complete the purchase directly in the interface. It’s a first step toward what some call “agentic commerce” – where AI handles not just discovery, but also transactions.
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