ChannelEngine just released its Marketplace Seller Trends Report 2025, revealing how outdated manual processes are costing marketplace sellers nearly two full workdays each week — a costly problem as we head into peak holiday season.
The report reveals that Shoppers visit an average of 4 marketplaces per month and sellers are expanding their presence to keep pace. Just 2% of respondents sell exclusively on a single marketplace, with the average seller active on six. More than a third (34%) are already selling on seven or more, reflecting a clear push to meet customers wherever they choose to shop.
But this complexity comes at a cost and many marketplace sellers are still relying on manual processes:
- 36% of the workweek is spent on manual updates.
- 52% still rely on spreadsheets.
- 91% say automation is now “business-critical.”
- 1 in 3 expect AI shopping assistants (Agentic Commerce) to reshape retail within two years.
Sellers told ChannelEngine that their top priorities for the next 12 months are to balance expansion with optimisation. While many aim to increase their marketplace presence, just as many are focused on getting more from the channels they already sell on – boosting product visibility, improving profitability, and strengthening their overall online footprint.
The report reveals that more than a quarter of sellers (26%) are still reluctant to expand to a new marketplaces because of technical requirements, if that’s you, then download the report today to discover how you streamline your operations and remove barriers to expansion.
