The online marketplace nurtures its community of buyers and sellers
Implications - In an effort to strengthen the relationships between buyers, sellers and the marketplaces themselves, the online marketplace industry has seen a surplus of programs, events and social media initiatives that allow each member in this online micro-chain to better understand one another. This shift reveals that those who play in the online marketplace seek to be part of a true community, beyond transactions.
Workshop Question - How could your company better support others within your industry?
Trend Themes
1. Online Marketplace Community-building - Online marketplaces are creating programs, events and social media initiatives to strengthen the relationships between buyers, sellers and the marketplaces themselves, revealing a need for an online community beyond transactions.
2. Increased Collaboration and Partnership Opportunities - Digital platforms are partnering with other e-commerce sites and retailers (such as Tumblr with Etsy, Nordstrom and West Elm with Etsy) to offer more collaborative and diversified services and products for their customers.
3. Empowering Events and Educational Networking Opportunities - E-commerce companies are hosting events such as Shopify's Beyond the Code to uplift women in tech and eBay's resource-sharing events for sellers to offer educational opportunities and networking strategies beyond online selling.
Industry Implications
1. E-commerce - These trends indicate opportunities for e-commerce platforms to create a stronger sense of community and offer diversified, collaborative services and products.
2. Retail - Partnerships between digital platforms and retailers such as Nordstrom and West Elm offer retail businesses more opportunities to expand their product offerings through online marketplaces.
3. Technology - By hosting tech events to celebrate and empower women in tech and offering resource-sharing events for sellers, e-commerce companies are providing opportunities for tech industries to diversify and expand opportunities for underrepresented groups.
