The third edition of Netcomm FOCUS Marketplace on 9 November 2022 had Digital Export, Marketplaces and the Development of Italian Companies as its main themes.
Starting from an analysis of the major eCommerce companies worldwide, it emerged that marketplaces are at the top: in fact, we find Amazon, Alibaba and JD.com (June 2022). What is rewarded is essentially the ability to scale and invest in technologies enabling online sales.
The growth of marketplaces
The exponential growth of these marketplaces is also closely related to the increase in the number of online buyers. If we focus on the growth in the turnover of online sales platforms in the three-year period 2019-2021, it emerges that the marketplaces (such as Just Eat) have had an increase of 44%.
Large-cap eCommerce, such as Alibaba, recorded a growth of 40% and eCommerce such as Asos and Hello Fresh are positioned in third place with an increase in turnover of 28%. (Source: Statista).
The marketplaces in Italy and the consumer perspective
Italy has followed this positive trend, developing nearly 100 different marketplace models depending on the business sector or country of activity of the company. The highest percentages are recorded in the consumer electronics, household appliances and information sectors and in the world of fashion.
On the consumer side, it emerges that the first purchase is usually made at the physical store while repeated purchases take place within the marketplace, which is considered a hub both on a commercial and informational level. A continuum is therefore created between the two channels which makes the shopping experience homogeneous.
This homogeneity satisfies the expectation of integration of the different channels of today's consumer, who is looking for a continuous service able to meet their purchasing needs.
The Digital Export
If we consider Digital Export, the sector in which Italy exports the most is the Fashion sector: in 2022 sales from Italian sites to foreign customers amounted to more than 3 billion euros, with a growth of + 10% over the year 2021. The Furniture / Home Living and Beauty sectors, on the other hand, recorded values of 275 million and 148 million euros respectively. However, the Furniture and Home Living sector is following a significant growth in exports compared to last year equal to 14%.
Marketplaces constitute a potential channel for the export of Made In Italy and play a key role in guiding the transformation of Retail, as well as representing a valid business model for the evolution of companies.
E-Business Consulting is a marketing agency active since 2003 to provide support and advice for all sales activities through the Marketplace or to optimize your eCommerce. Contact us for a free quote!