# Marketplace Bonding The online marketplace nurtures its community of buyers and sellers. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Apr 8, 2015 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/marketplace-bonding ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.5/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## 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. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 8, 2015 - Published: Apr 8, 2015 - Patterns: [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [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, Africa ## Themes within the Marketplace Bonding trend ### 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. ### 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. ### 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. ## What the Marketplace Bonding trend means for industry ### For 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 for Marketplace Bonding Trend score 3.5 out of 10, from popularity 60%, activity 36%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 60% - Activity: 36% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Marketplace Bonding trend 5 featured examples from Apr 8, 2015. - [Crafty Retail Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/etsy-sellers): Four Canadian Etsy Sellers Will Be Getting Exposure in Nordstrom (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Crafters and artisans creating unique, handmade products to sell through partnerships with retailers. - [Empowering Tech Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beyond-the-code): Shopify's Beyond the Code Triumphs Women in Technology (Category: Business) Implication: The technology industry can benefit from the trend of empowering women and fostering diversity by creating mentorship programs, scholarships, and inclusive workplaces. - [Collaborative Microblogging Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tumblr-app): The Tumblr App Lets Users Purchase, Pledge and Get Involved (Category: Business) Implication: Social media companies can benefit from exploring ways to incorporate eCommerce and crowdfunding features like Tumblr's to increase engagement and revenue. - [Resourceful Vendor Meetups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ebay-in-person): Ebay in Person is a Series of Educational Networking Events for Sellers (Category: Tech) Implication: The eCommerce industry can benefit from organizing educational networking events to support sellers in building successful online businesses. - [Marketplace Supplier Meetups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/etsy-visits-sellers): The Etsy Visits Sellers Program Helps the Service Grasp Its Vendors (Category: Marketing) Implication: Online marketplaces can benefit from supplier outreach programs to improve relationships with suppliers and optimize operations. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Conversion](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ai-assisted-checkout) (Business) - [Occasion Commerce](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/occasion-commerce) (Business) - [Autonomous Merchandising](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomous-merchandising) (Business) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) - [Mini Beauty Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-luxuries-store) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)