Online marketplaces have now become an important channel for sports and outdoor enthusiasts. A significant portion of the 23.7 percent of products sold online worldwide in the sports and outdoor industry in 2022 were purchased on marketplaces.
To capitalize on this trend and expand your reach to a wider audience, it is vital to establish a strong presence on sports and outdoor marketplaces.
The major well-known platforms are appealing because they attract large groups of consumers and often provide extensive services to sellers. However, it's important to note that the larger the platform, the higher the competition. This means that you'll need to develop a clever marketplace strategy to successfully sell your products.
Niche marketplaces, on the other hand, focus on one (or a few related) product categories. The advantage of a niche marketplace is that it has a more targeted audience, who are specifically looking for certain products and/or brands. This allows organizations to implement a more focused business strategy.
With the multitude of options available, it can be challenging to determine where to start. That's why we have compiled a list of the top 7 marketplaces in this segment in Europe to help you reach your target audience and boost your sales.
Amazon operates marketplaces in various European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. Selling on Amazon's European platforms provides access to a vast customer base across the continent. To achieve success on Amazon, it is crucial to have strong product listings, which significantly increase your chances of securing the buy box. Additionally, Amazon offers enticing services such as Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
With 22 million monthly customers, Allegro is the leading online marketplace in Poland. It offers a wide variety of products and is a great choice if you want to target the Polish market. Allegro provides extensive support to foreign sellers looking to sell in Poland.
bol.com is the dominant player in the marketplace industry in the Netherlands and Belgium, offering a wide range of products, including sports and outdoor items. What sets bol.com apart is the extensive range of opportunities it provides to sellers, such as access to grey- and white-spot data, logistics via bol (LvB), shipping through bol (VvB), and sponsored products. With an open listing policy, you have the freedom to check if your products are suitable for selling on bol.com.
Cdiscount, a popular marketplace based in France, offers a wide range of products, including sports and outdoor items. It is known for its competitive pricing and strong presence in the French market. Cdiscount operates a closed listing system, meaning they carefully select which sellers can sell on their platform. They also have specific requirements, such as providing French customer service and a French return address.
Decathlon, a global leader in the sports market, boasts approximately 1500 physical stores in 55 countries. By leveraging Decathlon's strong reputation, both online and offline, sellers can benefit from optimal visibility for their products. The Belgian Decathlon marketplace alone attracts over 13 million unique visitors per month.
If you are looking to expand your business internationally, publishing your products on the Decathlon marketplace is a fantastic way to do so. This platform is available in numerous European countries, including the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal.
However, it's important to note that Decathlon operates with a closed listing system. This means that selling on Decathlon is not as simple as it may seem. On the flip side, this also means that there is significantly less competition on the platform!
Fnac is a well-known marketplace in France and other European countries, specializing in electronics, books, music, and cultural products. In addition, they also cater to sports technology and outdoor electronics. It is important to note that Fnac requires you to provide customer service in French.
Obelink has been a trusted expert in the camping and outdoor sector for 60 years. With their online shop attracting over 44 million visitors each year, Obelink offers a unique advantage - the ability to sell and ship to 29 countries with just one account on Obelink NL, BE, and DE. Their closed listing system means that not everyone can sell on Obelink, resulting in lower competition.
There are plenty of marketplace options available in the sports, leisure, and outdoor industry. It's important to consider which channels align with your organization when making choices. Furthermore, it's crucial to understand that expanding your channels doesn't just involve putting your content online. To truly succeed and make profitable sales on marketplaces, it's essential to carefully evaluate your operations and costs. You don't have to sell on every channel; instead, you can choose to excel on a select few.
Do you want to learn more about these (or other) marketplaces? Are you curious about how to maximize your profit by selling on these marketplaces through EffectConnect?
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On May 19, we spoke with Michiel Ebbers and Sabine Woller of Obelink during the Marketplaces Event. Read here how to maximise your outdoor sales!
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