Category
Business
Assisted Conversion
Trend cluster
Category
Marketplace
Bonding
The online marketplace nurtures its community of buyers and sellers.
3.5
Trend score
Trend
What is the Marketplace Bonding trend?
Marketplace Bonding: 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.
Trend themes
Themes within the Marketplace Bonding trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
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.
02
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.
03
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
What the Marketplace Bonding trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
E-commerce
These trends indicate opportunities for e-commerce platforms to create a stronger sense of community and offer diversified, collaborative services and products.
For
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.
For
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.
Workshop question
How could your company better support others within your industry?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Marketplace Bonding
Trend score 3.5 out of 10, from popularity 60%, activity 36%, freshness 8%.
Popularity60%
Activity36%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South America
Africa
Evidence
Examples of the Marketplace Bonding trend
5 featured examples from Apr 8, 2015CategoryArt & Design
Crafty Retail Partnerships
Four Canadian Etsy Sellers Will Be Getting Exposure in Nordstrom
Crafters and artisans creating unique, handmade products to sell through partnerships with retailers.
CategoryBusiness
Empowering Tech Events
Shopify's Beyond the Code Triumphs Women in Technology
The technology industry can benefit from the trend of empowering women and fostering diversity by creating mentorship programs, scholarships, and inclusive workplaces.
CategoryBusiness
Collaborative Microblogging Features
The Tumblr App Lets Users Purchase, Pledge and Get Involved
Social media companies can benefit from exploring ways to incorporate eCommerce and crowdfunding features like Tumblr's to increase engagement and revenue.
CategoryTech
Resourceful Vendor Meetups
Ebay in Person is a Series of Educational Networking Events for Sellers
The eCommerce industry can benefit from organizing educational networking events to support sellers in building successful online businesses.
CategoryMarketing
Marketplace Supplier Meetups
The Etsy Visits Sellers Program Helps the Service Grasp Its Vendors
Online marketplaces can benefit from supplier outreach programs to improve relationships with suppliers and optimize operations.
