Boots is set to follow its rival Superdrug in launching an online marketplace that will see third-party brands added to its digital offering, significantly expanding its range of products.
Due to go live in Spring 2023, Boots Marketplace will allow brands of any size to list their products on boots.com, accessing the site’s millions of monthly visitors. The move is part of Boots’ drive to expand its digital offering following a surge in sales during the pandemic.
Marketplace products will be integrated with the existing product range on the retailer’s website, offering shoppers access to hundreds of new brands. Powered by Mirakl, an industry-leading enterprise marketplace SaaS platform, customers will still use a single checkout for mixed baskets and have access existing benefits such as Boots Advantage Card points.
The retailer noted that new and emerging brands using the platform could potentially be listed in its physical stores.
The company is now inviting brands to register their interest in becoming a marketplace seller.
“Marketplace is the exciting next step in our digital transformation programme,” said Paula Bobbett, Chief Digital Officer at Boots.
“We’re approaching this new opportunity for Boots with a deep understanding of our customers and the health, beauty and wellness products that they want to buy, and helps us to work with new smaller and entrepreneurial brands. Marketplace will allow us to build on the strength of our existing business to offer an even bigger range of choice for consumers and be the first to market with emerging brands and new products.”
Superdrug is due to launch its online marketplace platform this month. The health & beauty retailer recently revealed that it has already signed more than 200 brands, ranging from premium firms to start-ups.
NAM Implications:
- Another route to consumer, fine!
- Suppliers need to ensure compatibility / avoid confusing the consumer…
