# Consumer Marketplace Brands are launching first-party storefronts to connect consumers to others. By [Colin Smith](https://www.trendhunter.com/Colin96), Senior Insights Analyst | Published Jun 26, 2023 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/consumer-marketplace ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.7/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Consumer Marketplace trend? **Consumer Marketplace:** Brands across multiple industries are launching consumer-to-business-to-consumer (C2B2C) storefronts. C2B2C offers consumers discounts on products and enables consumers to sell unwanted products while the business handles transactions and verifies the quality of listed items. ## The consumer insight behind the Consumer Marketplace trend When consumers no longer require products, whether it be clothing, technology, or furniture, they often turn to third-party marketplaces for all-purpose listings. However, these marketplaces pose various risks, causing some users to be wary of misleading products and scam attempts. Some consumers desire streamlined ways to liquidate older goods safely and securely, while others desire quality goods at discounted prices. Brands are responding by launching first-party C2B2C marketplaces. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 13, 2022 to May 8, 2025 - Published: Jun 26, 2023 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Consumer Marketplace trend ### First-party C2B2C marketplaces Brands are launching first-party C2B2C marketplaces to offer consumers a safer and more secure way to liquidate older goods and purchase quality goods at discounted prices. ### Circular economy initiatives Circular economy initiatives are becoming popular among different industries, encouraging the recycling and reselling of used products to reduce wastage and make a contribution to a more sustainable future. ### Resale marketplaces Resale marketplaces, particularly in the athleisure industry, are making it easy for customers to sell their used clothing and products, while also offering a more sustainable model for the industry. ## What the Consumer Marketplace trend means for industry ### For Retail Retail companies can benefit from launching first-party C2B2C marketplaces that offer consumers a secure and safe way to liquidate their older goods while purchasing quality products at discounted prices. ### For Furniture Furniture businesses can benefit from circular economy initiatives, specifically offering incentives for customers to return used furniture for recycle or resale purposes. ### For Athleisure Athletic apparel and athleisure companies can benefit from developing their own resale marketplaces, where customers can help increase product lifecycles and meet increasing sustainability demands. ## Workshop question How might your brand benefit from connecting its consumers via an online marketplace or forum? ## Trend signals for Consumer Marketplace Trend score 5.7 out of 10, from popularity 70%, activity 61%, freshness 40%. - Popularity: 70% - Activity: 61% - Freshness: 40% ## Examples of the Consumer Marketplace trend 6 featured examples from Jun 13, 2022 to May 8, 2025. - [Customer-Driven Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cos-resell): COS Clothing Partnered with Recurate on a C2B2C Marketplace (Category: Eco) Implication: Fashion retailers can seize the opportunity by creating their own C2B2C marketplaces, such as COS Resell, to cater to environmentally-conscious customers and expand revenue stream… - [Circular Furniture Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buy-back-and-resell): IKEA Debuted its 'Buy Back & Resell' Program in the United States (Category: Eco) Implication: Furniture companies could leverage IKEA's initiative to offer similar circular models by allowing their customers to recycle used furniture, incentivizing sustainable practices wh… - [Athleisure Resale Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athleisure-resale-marketplace): Vitality's New Platform Fosters the Purchase & Sale Of Used Apparel (Category: Eco) Implication: Athletic apparel companies can create resale marketplaces to promote sustainability and engage customers. - [Used Component Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/framework-marketplace): Framework Allows Customers to Sell Used Products on its Website (Category: Tech) Implication: The growth of used component marketplaces like Framework presents disruptive innovation opportunities for e-commerce platforms to facilitate the buying and selling of used product… - [Branded Customer Resale Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/relove): Relove Enables Businesses to Launch C2B2C Storefronts (Category: Eco) Implication: Retailers can leverage the trend of branded customer resale marketplaces like Relove to reduce environmental impact, increase customer loyalty, and generate additional revenue. - [Canadian Entrepreneur-Focused Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canadian-entrepreneur): Futurpreneur Marketplace Emerges as a Timely Initiative (Category: Social Good) Implication: The intersection of technology and commerce manifests in digital marketplaces, which are revolutionizing accessibility and reach for small enterprises. ## Recent trend clusters - [Keepsake Countdowns](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/holiday-countdown-gifts) (Business) - [Gentle Diagnostics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/home-heart-screening) (Lifestyle) - [Targeted Macros](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/functional-protein-ingredients) (Lifestyle) - [Flavor Borrowing](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/soft-drink-flavor-mashups) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [Fashionable Frozen Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aritzias-aok-caf) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)