Online marketplace Etsy operates a program called Etsy Visits Sellers that has thus far seen 250 individuals from the site's admin team stop by some of the crafters' studios. While the program was initially localized, with Etsy's global expansion, the team extended its visits in 2014 to include an international scope.
From jewelers, bakers and candlemakers to milliners, ceramicists and seamstresses, members of the Etsy admin team stopped by crafters in cities that ranged from Toronto and New York City to Dublin, Berlin and Paris.
The intriguing project is an important initiative taken on by Etsy to better understand the sellers that make the online marketplace possible. The unique relationships formed by Etsy and the suppliers speaks to the intimate nature of the site's operations procedures.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Virtual Supplier Meetups
- Online marketplaces should consider creating virtual meetups with their suppliers as a means of establishing strong working relationships and understanding operational procedures.
- Global Supplier Outreach Programs
- Establishing a program that connects global suppliers is an opportunity for online marketplaces to expand their offerings and broaden their supplier networks.
- Direct Supplier Engagement
- Direct engagement with suppliers can offer helpful insight for online marketplaces to continuously improve their operations and offerings.
Industries Being Reshaped
- E-commerce
- Online marketplaces can benefit from supplier outreach programs to improve relationships with suppliers and optimize operations.
- Logistics
- Logistics companies can partner with online marketplaces to streamline supplier operations and establish clear communication channels.
- Retail
- Retailers can utilize supplier outreach programs to gain a better understanding of the quality and origin of products, helping them to provide better transparency to customers.
