Internet Retailers Looking Beyond Amazon

Amazon commands much of the discussion about marketplaces among Internet retailers, but are these ecommerce merchants starting to look beyond the leading platform? 

A new Feedvisor report suggests that 60 percent of its third-party sellers plan to expand into other marketplaces in 2017.

"Amazon will continue to be a dominant force in the retail industry. However, these expansion plans reveal that Amazon sellers recognize the value of diversifying their ecommerce presence," said Victor Rosenman, CEO of Feedvisor. "While many Amazon merchants sell exclusively on the platform, this year's shift in expansion plans illustrates the evolving state of online marketplaces, and indicates that sellers are looking to new avenues for business growth."

Feedvisor's "The State of the Amazon Marketplace 2017" found that eBay's popularity as a marketplace is still strong, but is waning. Feedvisor reported that 65 percent of Amazon sellers indicated they also sell on eBay (down from 73 percent in 2016). 

Jet.com (acquired by Walmart) is no longer a top priority: Last year, Jet.com was the most popular platform for expansion, with 27 percent of merchants looking to have a presence there. In 2017 that number has dropped to 22 percent, the fifth most popular site for expansion.