When it comes to online shopping, most people immediately think of Amazon, eBay, and perhaps Etsy. But in Europe, there are tons of local and regional marketplaces that are doing great, bringing in millions of shoppers, and still flying under the radar for most sellers outside their own country. Here are five platforms you might not have heard of — but should.
- Allegro (Poland)
Allegro is the largest e-commerce platform in Poland and one of the fastest growing in Central Europe. It has over 22 million monthly users and a huge number of categories, from electronics to cosmetics. The platform is focused on the Polish market but is actively opening up to international sellers. The interface is available in English, and logistics can be organized either independently or through partner services. The level of competition is lower than on Amazon, and the audience is loyal and active in terms of purchases.
- Cdiscount (France)
The French marketplace Cdiscount is a real giant in its home country, especially in the categories of electronics, household appliances, and home and garden goods. The platform has about 10 million active users and is among the top three in terms of online trade volume in France. Cdiscount operates on a marketplace model and allows third-party sellers to enter the French market without having to launch a separate website. Customer support is available in English, logistics can be outsourced, and commissions remain moderate.
- Bol.com (Netherlands and Belgium)
Bol.com is one of the major players in the Dutch and Belgian markets. It has over 13 million active users, thousands of categories, and a strong presence in the books, toys, children’s goods, and household items segments. Bol.com’s distinctive feature is its focus on locality: the platform actively supports sellers, speaks Dutch and Flemish, but also provides clear instructions for international trade. If you want to start selling in the Benelux, this is one of the best options.
- ePrice (Italy)
ePrice is an Italian platform focused on electronics, gadgets, household appliances, and smart devices. It is not as large as Amazon or eBay, but it allows you to enter the Italian market at a much lower cost. Price, delivery, and trust are important here — Italian buyers often contact sellers directly, ask questions before buying, and generally appreciate a personal approach. Registration is open to sellers from other countries, but it is advisable to know at least basic Italian or work with a translator.
- Real.de (now Kaufland.de, Germany)
Formerly known as Real.de, now Kaufland.de. This is one of the largest marketplaces in Germany, particularly strong in the categories of everyday goods, electronics, clothing, and household goods. The platform is actively developing and is open to international sellers, offering its own logistics and an intuitive product management system. Germany is one of the largest online markets in Europe, and Kaufland can be a good alternative to Amazon.de, especially if you want to sell without fierce competition and on more favorable terms.
Why it matters
Entering European marketplaces can be a great way to diversify your sales, especially if you have already reached your ceiling on Amazon or eBay. These platforms often offer more loyal commissions, less aggressive competition, and access to audiences that prefer “their own” — local brands and stores. Most importantly, many of them are already prepared to work with international sellers and offer English-language support.
If you are planning to expand into Europe, don’t limit yourself to what everyone else is talking about. Sometimes a niche or local marketplace can bring in just as much, and sometimes even more, with less effort.