LTM 96: Why Wayfair failed in Germany and more Home & Living Marketplace Insights

Which red flags have indicated the end of Wayrfair in Germany? Why is XXXLutz so successful in the marketplace business? Why are marketplace fees sometimes ridiculously high? Valerie discussed all these questions in this episode with Philip Kehela, co-founder and managing director of the furniture brand mokebo. Philip follows this strategy: If a new marketplace has points of contact with our categories, we will use it because our business model is designed to scale very quickly and with very little personal investment in marketplaces. He explains why mokebo produces almost exclusively in Germany, is growing much faster than the market and why he considers DIY marketplaces to be very worthwhile players. Newsflash: - The bevh is forecasting a slight increase in German e-commerce this year and attributes this growth almost exclusively to marketplaces - There are new indications that TikTok Shop could soon launch in Germany Note from the sponsor bol: Bol is a leading marketplace in the Netherlands and Belgium, offering over 42 million products in 28 categories to more than 13 million customers. Its focus on customer satisfaction and innovation has made it the regional market leader. The platform attracts retailers from neighboring countries by offering personalized support and local consumer insights. Retailers can benefit from bol's logistics service, returns management, and retail media options. A special promotion is available until February 28th: retailers receive a 50% discount on account creation fees and variable commissions through integrators like ChannelEngine, Rithum, Tradebyte, or Channable, valid until June 30th, 2025. Curious to learn more? Tune into podcast episode 97 next week to hear Alex Ciorapciu, Director of International Business, discuss selling on bol.   Chapters: 02:28 Philipp Kehela's Journey and Moquebo's Growth 05:53 Marketplace Strategies and Expansion 10:12 Newsflash 20:51 Impact of Wayfair's Withdrawal and Market Consolidation 27:02 E-commerce Performance and Market Strategies 30:02Marketplace Presence and Expansion Plans 34:57 Marketplace Commission Structures and Profitability 37:58 Trends in Home and Living Marketplaces