Off-Amazon Sales Channel News & Other Happenings in 2021
Firing The Man · with Ken Wilson · April 13, 2021 · 40 min
Summary
This episode provides a critical overview of the shifting ecommerce landscape beyond Amazon in early 2021. It highlights the strategic growth of platforms like Target and Walmart, offering valuable context for sellers looking to diversify channels and for founders to understand broader market trends. The discussion on Target's invite-only marketplace emphasizes quality over quantity, a key takeaway for brand positioning.
Key takeaways
Target's invite-only marketplace ("Target Plus") prioritizes curated, high-quality products, leading to a better customer experience and less competition for its 300 vetted sellers. Focus on brand quality and alignment to potentially gain an invitation.
Walmart's online sales surged 79% in fiscal year 2021, with Q4 marketplace growth at 69%. This indicates significant opportunity for sellers looking to diversify beyond Amazon, as Walmart is actively growing its ecommerce presence.
The departure of Jeff Bezos from Amazon signals a shift, but the company’s foundational strength lies in its decentralized teams and established systems. This suggests continued innovation and dominance, but also opens avenues for other platforms to carve out niches.
The overarching trend of increased online shopping, cemented by the pandemic, is a habit unlikely to be broken. Ecommerce businesses should continue to invest in improving user experience and overall efficiency to capitalize on this sustained growth momentum.
To maximize success on alternative marketplaces, understand each platform's unique business model and customer avatar. For example, Target appeals to a specific 'cult-like' following that values curated experiences and quality products.
Episode 68 In today’s episode, we are going to talk about the top 5 articles in the eCommerce industry in the first quarter of 2021. We have talked about Amazon and where it will go upon the departure of Jeff Bezos. We’ve also shared our insights about Walmart, Target, and Shopify and their respective business models that contribute to their recent growth. David and I ended this episode on a high note with our thoughts about the almost $800-billion sales of US eCommerce in 2020. List...
What does this episode say about amazon & marketplaces?
Target's invite-only marketplace ("Target Plus") prioritizes curated, high-quality products, leading to a better customer experience and less competition for its 300 vetted sellers. Focus on brand quality and alignment to potentially gain an invitation.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Walmart's online sales surged 79% in fiscal year 2021, with Q4 marketplace growth at 69%. This indicates significant opportunity for sellers looking to diversify beyond Amazon, as Walmart is actively growing its ecommerce presence.
What does this episode say about shopify & ecommerce platforms?
The departure of Jeff Bezos from Amazon signals a shift, but the company’s foundational strength lies in its decentralized teams and established systems. This suggests continued innovation and dominance, but also opens avenues for other platforms to carve out niches.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
The overarching trend of increased online shopping, cemented by the pandemic, is a habit unlikely to be broken. Ecommerce businesses should continue to invest in improving user experience and overall efficiency to capitalize on this sustained growth momentum.
What does this episode say about amazon & marketplaces?
To maximize success on alternative marketplaces, understand each platform's unique business model and customer avatar. For example, Target appeals to a specific 'cult-like' following that values curated experiences and quality products.
