What Is The Analog For Marketplace Aggregators?

Marketplaces
Written By Rick Watson

Here's a thought experiment. With over 50-60 marketplace aggregators like Thrasio out there now. What is the analog to them?

Is this the next generation of GSI Commerce, just channel-specific? GSI (well, except for Fogdog and TSA) usually didn't acquire the brand.

One key advantage they have: proprietary tech and loads of data the average seller does not have, or must build or cobble together on their own.

The next question - will sites like Thrasio build their own software and services platform disconnected from their investments?

These platforms work on a marketplace-specific company where the stack is uniform. Yes, there are a lot of them, but they are not infinite.

Most brands realize it's smart to be multi-channel. I don't predict that will change soon. What if the brand wants to go direct? Own its own customers? I doubt these investors prohibit it, but will it be optimized?

What will happen to the "pure platform" players in the marketplace arena? Will they be forced to focus their attention less on the pure-plays and more on these multi-channel companies?

Rick Watson

Rick Watson founded RMW Commerce Consulting after spending 20+ years as a technology entrepreneur and operator exclusively in the eCommerce industry with companies like ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, Merchantry, and Pitney Bowes.

Watson’s work today is centered on supporting investors and management teams incubating and growing direct-to-consumer businesses. Most recently, in partnership with WHP Global, Rick was a critical resource in architecting the WHP+ platform, a new turnkey direct to consumer digital e-commerce platform that powers AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com.

Watson also hosts a weekly podcast, Watson Weekly, where he shares an unbiased, unfiltered expert take on the retail sector’s biggest players.

In the past year alone, Rick has spoken at many in-person and virtual events as well as podcasts on topics ranging from retail/ecom to supply chain/logistics and even digital grocery including CommerceNext IRL, ASCM Connect, and Retail Innovation Conference.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/
Previous

What Is The Right Grocery Investment Strategy For Retailers?
Next

Marketplace Success Definitions Have Changed