Executive summary
What every eCommerce business needs to know about selling on platforms
Running a profitable eCommerce business is harder than ever, between increased competition online, rising customer acquisition costs and macroeconomic pressures. Buyers are changing how they shop, too, prizing wide selection, convenience and competitive pricing above all else.
The result of changing market dynamics and shifting preferences is the exponential growth of marketplace and dropship businesses, which grew 38% year-over-year and at six times the rate of overall eCommerce in 2022.
Behind the growth of these businesses are millions of businesses selling through marketplace and dropship platforms. Brands and retailers have embraced these platforms as new sales channels, using them as a cost-effective strategy to reach a wider audience and maintain customer loyalty.
Notably, the number of businesses that began selling on marketplaces in 2022 increased by 31% over the previous year. 53% of marketplace sellers surveyed are selling on more marketplaces than they were a year ago, and a staggering 62% plan to expand their presence across additional marketplaces in the next 12 months.
Whether you operate a marketplace or dropship platform, sell through marketplaces or dropship, or do both, understanding the dynamics of these fast-growing sales channels is essential for growth in today’s eCommerce landscape.
In this report, we explore why more retailers and brands are selling on different channels, their strategies for growth, and how marketplace and dropship platforms can attract top sellers.
To uncover the data behind these trends, Mirakl conducted an in-depth analysis of the performance of 65,000 sellers and suppliers on Mirakl’s marketplace and dropship platforms, accounting for 125 million SKUs and nearly $5 billion in annual gross merchandise value (GMV). We also surveyed 1,500 marketplace sellers of all sizes across the globe to learn about their eCommerce priorities and challenges.
