Two Fashionistas Talking - SNOCKS and the Road to Marketplace Success, In this episode, Valerie takes the mic solo - joined by Laura Maria Schmidt, Lead Marketplaces at SNOCKS Group. Laura shares how SNOCKS evolved from a pure Amazon seller into a profitable multi-marketplace setup spanning 26 countries. Her key takeaways: Marketplace isn’t a side job, a dedicated marketplace team is essential. Radical KPI transparency for everyone in the company enables profit-first decisions. And successful internationalization requires systematic testing and learning in new markets. Laura’s insights are refreshingly candid - whether it’s about exiting eBay, integrating the period underwear brand Femtes, or sharing SNOCKS’ biggest failure on bol.

Note from the sponsor Kaufland:

If you also want to internationalize and are looking for a partner in Europe, Kaufland Global Marketplace is the right choice for you. With just one registration and a central account, you can sell on up to seven Kaufland marketplaces simultaneously: in Germany, Slovakia, Czechia, Poland, Austria, and, since this year, also in France and Italy. This gives you access to up to 139 million potential online customers. Kaufland also has a special treat for newcomers: anyone who registers as a new seller by January 31, 2026, will save one month's basic fee - for each country presence! Ideally, this means no basic fee for seven months! Use the promotion code X7DEAL-MPUNI and register right here now!

https://www.kauflandglobalmarketplace.com/en/seller-registration/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=non-paid&utm_campaign=B2BMarketplaceUniverse&utm_content=11_2025

Note from the sponsor base

Think Amazon dominates everywhere? Think again! E.g. in Poland, shoppers spend six times more time on Allegro than on Amazon and Kaufland Global Marketplace ranks higher in user engagement. If you want to understand why Central and Eastern Europe plays by its own marketplace rules, don’t miss our next free online webinar: “Cracking the CEE Code - Marketplace Strategies for Central & Eastern Europe.” Join Ingrid on November 18th at 11 AM CET for a strategic, yet hands-on session with Timo Gerken, Managing Director DACH at Base (former baselinker). Save your seat and register right here now! https://zoom.us/webinar/register/8617538153683/WN_X14-bg1HTQOQbfMZSWNJ5w

Why does the French fashion and sports market tick differently - and what does that mean for brands? In this episode of Let's Talk Marketplace, Ingrid and Valerie discuss this topic in detail with Déborah Schinasi (founder of the consulting firm The Agent in Paris) - in a practical, pointed, and no-nonsense way. They discuss why storytelling and emotional commerce beat pure transactions, why the fashion industry is united against the spread of Shein, and how brands are scoring points despite growing price pressure. They also take a look at channel priorities: Who generates volume, who is indispensable for the image, where do Zalando, Decathlon, and La Redoute stand? There is also an outlook on the growth drivers for 2026: Secondhand is getting bigger - Vinted is already a major fashion player; AI is changing search & content; TikTok Shop has had a modest start and still stands for low-basket, but is also firmly on the watch list for live shopping.

Note from the sponsor Pixelmoda:

Pixelmoda is a Milan-based pioneer in AI-assisted image and video production for fashion and luxury brands. Their AI doesn’t generate content - it enhances it. By optimizing lighting, camera angles, and model poses in real time, Pixelmoda helps teams shoot faster and smarter - cutting production costs by up to 70 % for photos and 90 % for videos. They work with over 100 brands in 20+ countries, producing more than 14 million visuals a year - including for three of the world’s top five marketplaces. A great example for their work is Rinascente in Italy, which reduced fixed content costs by a double-digit percentage while keeping its luxury look intact. Want to know more? Check out the full case study on Marketplace Universe: https://marketplace-universe.com/best-practice-product-images-rinascente-pixelmoda/

or join the webinar "How AI-Driven Product Images & Videos Are Boosting Sales and Cutting Costs for Fashion Brands on Marketplaces” on December, 2nd 2025, 11 a.m. Register right here now! https://zoom.us/webinar/register/1717621839500/WN_3visssBjRO-pv6tgQuL-uA

Amazon introduces its new AI feature “Help Me Decide” – a shopping assistant that uses your browsing and search history to make suggestions for your next purchase. In addition to this news, Valerie and Ingrid also discuss why Bauhaus only launched its marketplace after two years of development and whether the DIY market is too late to the party. They talk about a real early starter in the refurbished goods market, namely refurbed and its planned expansion into the UK. They also take a look at Zalando's market entry in Portugal and what it means for the market there. And they talk about the highly astonishing figures that can be gleaned from the transparency reports of the Very Large Online Platforms (spoiler: Aliexpress is much bigger than most people think).

Here is the link to all the VLOP figures: https://marketplace-universe.com/chinese-platforms-in-europe/

Note from the sponsor base:

Central and Eastern Europe, global giants like Aliexpress and Temu are making waves, but it's local heroes that truly dominate the scene: Allegro leads the pack in Poland with over €12 billion in GMV, eMAG is a powerhouse in Romania, and Heureka has expanded from a price comparison site to a marketplace giant in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. And with platforms like Aliexpress, Temu, and Shein continuing to grow, CEE has become the perfect playground for e-commerce opportunities. If you want to learn more, join our webinar “Cracking the CEE Code: Marketplace Strategies for Central & Eastern Europe” on November 18th at 11 AM – Together with our partner Base we’ll dive into all the details on marketplace strategies across Central and Eastern Europe. Register right now here! https://zoom.us/webinar/register/8617538153683/WN_X14-bg1HTQOQbfMZSWNJ5w#/registration

Note from the sponsor eBay:

Christmas is just around the corner – and with it comes the biggest logistics challenge of the year. Customers expect on-time deliveries, easy returns, and full transparency. So how can sellers stay relaxed when parcel volumes explode? eBay has you covered. With the eBay shipping platform, you can easily create labels online, track every shipment automatically, and even ship parcels without a printer using QR codes. And for higher shipping volumes, eBay Fulfillment by Orange Connex takes care of the entire process. There’s more: with eBay’s “Arrives before Christmas” badge, your buyers instantly see whether their orders will arrive on time. In the end, it’s not about how many orders you get - but how many arrive happily. Check out eBay’s full Peak Season checklist and shipping tips right here now! https://www.ebay.de/verkaeuferportal/versand/peak-season

The UK marketplace game follows its own rules - and most European brands still play by the wrong ones. In this episode, Valerie and Ingrid talk with Neil Lauderdale (ex-Pentland, Speedo, Ellesse, Canterbury) about what really drives marketplace success in the UK. They discuss why Zalando and ASOS are overrated, while Next, Very, John Lewis, Debenhams, and M&S shape the market - and how Decathlon is becoming a powerful launchpad for Europe. Neil shares how logistics and local setup make or break a brand post-Brexit, and what Pentland learned as one of the first brands on TikTok Shop - where success demands creator thinking and massive content output.

The takeaway: winning in the UK means a differentiated marketplace strategy built on local retail structures - with clear roles for each platform: Premium, Off-Price, Social, Experimental.

Note from the sponsor Pixelmoda:

Founded in Milan in 2021, Pixelmoda specializes in AI-assisted image and video production. The key feature is that the AI does not generate the images, but supports the team and models in taking the best possible shots quickly by optimizing camera position, lightning, model poses, and so on. This significantly shortens production time and reduces costs up to 70 % for photo production and up to 90 % for video production. Pixelmoda produces over 14 million images and videos per year. Its customers include over 100 brands from more than 20 countries, including three of the top five global online marketplaces and lots of luxury brands. If you want to learn more about this, tune in once again in episode 126 where Ingrid and Valerie were talking to Gianni Serratzi, CEO of Pixelmoda. https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6466a3af-41fb-4fb1-98a1-0ab647a2cc41/

Note from the sponsor Taxdoo:

Taxdoo supports retailers and brands with a comprehensive platform for completing sales tax returns and accounting processes in a legally compliant and efficient manner. And this important part of your marketplace business is also increasingly being taken over by AI. That's why Jan Utterrodt, Head of Support at tax tech company Taxdoo, is our guest on episode 131 of Let's talk Marketplace. Topics will include how AI can help speed up tax processes and reduce costs, and how AI can assist with correct sales tax returns - depending on the country and product. After all, shortcomings in the handling of customs and sales tax payments can quickly get retailers into serious trouble. So tune in in three weeks' time - it's definitely worth it!

Amazon doesn't negotiate - it tests your limits. In this episode, Ingrid and Valerie, together with Amazon expert Martin Heubel, reveal what really goes on behind the scenes of the annual vendor negotiations (AVNs). They discuss why brands are facing tougher terms, shrinking margins, and higher investments, and what smart strategies can help turn the tide. Martin explains how sellers can set clear investment caps, use retail media to strengthen their position, and avoid getting caught in Amazon's profit spiral. They also talk about why hybrid models can be both a safety net and a trap, why Amazon Vendor Service (AVS) has become indispensable, and how Amazon's innovation engine is slowing down even as the company opens its logistics infrastructure to competitors. A must-listen for anyone preparing for AVNs or managing a vendor account.

Note from the sponsor MediaMarktSaturn:

Are you ready to take your sales to the next level during Black Week at MediaMarktSaturn? Then don’t miss the upcoming webinar, “Black Week Success on MediaMarktSaturn - How to Maximize Your Sales Potential”. Join the experts Nikolaus Volpini de Maestro from the retailer Nero Group and Alexander Klinger from MediaMarktSaturn, on October 13th at 2 PM for a free, live session. This webinar is perfect for brands in Electronics, Home & Living, DIY, Sports, and Toys, looking to boost their sales during Black Week. You will not only learn how to optimize your product range and inventory and set up successful campaigns, but also how to prepare for Black Week, and how to use bundles to boost your sales. Sign up right now!

Pimkie is the first European brand to use Shein's Xcelerate program – and in return, it faces a lawsuit from its former owners and exclusion from the French industry association. Is this move a lifeline or a massive reputational risk? Ingrid and Valerie discuss this in today's news episode. They also analyze the latest Temu user numbers (spoiler: huge growth!), delve into Amazon and Mirakle’s AI efforts, which are taking Agentic Commerce to the next level, and examine OnBuy’s EU expansion and Allegro’s quarterly figures. A packed episode with an analysis of the key marketplace news from September!

Note from the sponsor bol:

Did you know that in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas on December 5 is actually more important than Christmas Eve? For sellers, this means the holiday season starts much earlier – and at bol, sales go up by 70% during this period. To help sellers make the most of it, bol offers clear guidelines on pricing, promotions, and delivery speed. With Logistics via bol, for example, you can offer next-day delivery – a real conversion driver, since 40% of all purchases happen after 5 PM. Want to dive deeper? Then join the bol Connect Event on October 20 in Munich! Exchange, networking, great food, and a pleasant atmosphere – register here: https://webforms.pipedrive.com/f/1FQAhq2utHGMMNZzGhclkkFsqGNqo1wgvSiTdjm9GBeEYO7FUsl9cJmi4uTIUn2yD

Note for marketplace webinars:

This fall, you can deepen your knowledge of key marketplaces in various live webinars, such as:

• October 13th: Black Week Success on MediaMarktSaturn – How to Maximize Your Sales Potential Register here
• October 30th: Europe is Calling: Expand to Seven Markets with One Kaufland Account Register here
• November 6th: How to Join the ABOUT YOU Marketplace – Now Easier Than Ever Register here
• Or if you'd like to learn more about bol, check out the recording from September 23th: Start Selling on bol Marketplace – Faster, Easier, Smarter Watch the recording here

Without the right product images, nothing works. But: different style guides, missing samples, questions around color accuracy, videos - all of that can make costs skyrocket fast. Can AI help? Yes - when it acts as an on-set co-pilot for photographers and models, steering lighting, poses, style-guide compliance, and quality assurance. How this works in practice - and why it’s a real performance lever for fashion brands and sellers - is what Ingrid and Valerie discuss with Gianni Serazzi from Pixelmoda.

Takeaways:

• No GenAI renderings: Items are shot for real; AI optimizes the process.
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• Costs down, output up: According to Pixelmoda, up to −70% for photos and −90% for videos at consistent “luxury-grade” quality.
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• Speed in days, not weeks: Turnarounds usually < 5 days, in express cases same day - without compromising color fidelity or consistency.
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• Scaling without style drift: ≈ 3× more SKUs/day and pixel-perfect execution of Zalando, Amazon & Co. style guides.
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• Direct business impact: More content noticeably lifts conversion and reduces returns - Pixelmoda typically reports +5–15% sales and −5–20% returns.
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Who is it for?

Experienced sellers and brand teams (not only in fashion) who treat content ops as a revenue and P&L lever - not a cost center.

TikTok Shop polarises – is it chaos or the next big thing in commerce? Kristina Mertens sees clear potential. In this episode, she joins Ingrid and Valerie to discuss why Social Commerce is more than a trend and how creator communities drive real brand loyalty.

She shares how brands like 6PM or More Nutrition succeed by specifically tapping into content ecosystems. And she talks about her own TikTok experience – 11 seconds from video to purchase. They explore why About You’s quick retreat may have come too soon, what makes Social Commerce fundamentally different from classic marketplace logic, and why emotional community-building and AI-driven shopping agents are likely to coexist in the future. For marketplaces, the message is clear: evolve – or become just another data source.

Note from the sponsor Kaufland Global Marketplace:

Want to expand your marketplace business across Europe? Then Kaufland Global Marketplace is definitely worth a look. After launching in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Austria, Kaufland is now expanding its marketplace network to France and Italy – two of the largest e-commerce markets in Europe. France went live on August 12, Italy will follow in just a few weeks. And here’s the best part – there’s a special offer for new sellers: With the voucher code MP-UNI2025, you can sell without paying a base fee for 3 months on all Kaufland marketplaces. Valid only for new registrations until October 31, 2025. Register right now here: https://www.kaufland.com/join?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=B2BMarketplaceUniverse&utm_content=08_2025

Note from the sponsor Pixelmoda:

Founded in Milan in 2021, Pixelmoda specializes in AI-assisted image and video production. The key feature is that the AI does not generate the images, but supports the team and models in taking the best possible shots quickly by optimizing camera position, lightning, model poses, and so on. This significantly shortens production time and reduces costs up to 70 % for photo production and up to 90 % for video production. Pixelmoda produces over 14 million images and videos per year. Its customers include over 100 brands from more than 20 countries, including three of the top five global online marketplaces and lots of luxury brands. If you want to learn more about this, tune in next week. In Episode 126Ingrid and Valerie will be talking to Gianni Serratzi, CEO of Pixelmoda.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Social Commerce

05:57 The Rise of TikTok Shop

07:51 Social Commerce vs. Traditional E-commerce

11:24 The mistake of hasty withdrawal

14:45 The new way to shop on TikTok Shop

19:09 Logistics and Fulfillment in Social Commerce

24:59 The importance of social experience

30:26 The Future of Marketplaces and AI Commerce