The traditional English market has been the choice of most sellers to enter the eCommerce industry. After a period of development, this part of the market competition gradually intense. On the other hand, the big eCommerce platform policy changes, and compliance tightening.
Recently there is news that Amazon has again banned more than 13,000 Pakistani sellers’ accounts. As a result, more and more sellers are turning their attention to various emerging eCommerce platforms in the minority language market.
In eMarketer‘s statistics, the top 10 countries in 2022 eCommerce sales growth rate include Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, Argentina, Malaysia, Mexico, and Thailand. All these countries are speaking minority languages. Compared to the more mature markets in Europe and the United States, the emerging eCommerce platforms in small language markets have become the next gold rush for eCom sellers.
Below is a list of the top 10 eCommerce platforms in minority language markets.
Latin America——Mercado Libre
Founded in 1999, Mercado’s business includes 18 sites in Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia. It has accumulated hundreds of millions of active unique users and jumped into the top 10 worldwide in terms of visits in 2021.
The categories cover electronics, cell phones, accessories, trendy apparel, home life, beauty, health, toys, etc. It is known as the Latin American version of eBay. Now its open investment sites are Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. At present, the official preference such as cell phones, tablets, computers, audio, indoor cleaning, fashion, and other vertical categories.
Mexico – Linio (Falabella)
Linio is the B2C cross-border eCommerce platform of the Latin American retailer giant Falabella. Its business covers Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Mexico, and Ecuador. This eCommerce platform currently charges no entry fees and no monthly rent, only commissions.
Latin America – nocnoc
Nocnoc can link foreign sellers with 15 local head eCommerce platforms in Latin America and helps sellers to sell their products in Latin America. Its business includes translation, shipping, door-to-door delivery, customs clearance, customer service, etc.
Vietnam – TIKI (Vietnam B2C local eCommerce platform)
Founded in 2010, TIKI is a B2C eCommerce platform that focuses on integrating quality supply chains in cooperation with brands. It currently covers categories such as home life, books, and electronics, with women accounting for the majority of active users.
To join this platform, you need to provide a business license, legal identity document, trademark registration certificate, agent brand authorization, SKU number, etc. It also requires entry fees, commissions, and other additional fees.
Africa – Jumia (The leading eCommerce platform in Africa)
Jumia is an African eCommerce giant with a presence in 11 African countries, including Nigeria and Kenya. It is very popular among African consumers. Hot categories on this platform include electronics, fashion, home life, health, beauty, etc.
This eCommerce platform’s entry requirements include at least 100 SKUs, a dedicated person to interface with the platform, and a corporate Payoneer account.
Russia – Ozon
Ozon is a large general eCommerce platform in the Russian eCommerce market. It offers comprehensive logistics facilities and door-to-door delivery services. So, it is highly popular in Russia. The platform covers categories such as books, electronics, clothing, family, children, beauty, food, pets, and sports.
Requirements for platform entry include having an online store of no less than 2 years, providing customer service in Russian, etc.
Germany – OTTO
OTTO is the world’s second-largest integrated B2C eCommerce platform and one of the largest furniture and home furnishings e-merchants in Germany. With seven million active users, the platform is one of the largest eCommerce platforms in Germany and is growing strongly. Hot categories include apparel, home, and 3C products.
The platform currently uses an invitation system, and the requirements for entry include sellers having a local company business license in Germany. And the seller needs to apply for VAT and have a Bescheinigung§22f eCommerce certificate, etc.
Poland – Allegro
Allegro is the eCommerce platform for most Polish online consumers, with hundreds of thousands of daily active users. The platform’s hot categories include 3C electronics, auto parts, beauty, outdoor sports equipment, etc.
The platform is free to join and does not charge a monthly fee or onboarding fee. It only charges a 12%-20% commission.
South Korea – Coupang
Coupang is a Korean eCommerce platform. According to the second quarter results announced by Coupang, it grew by 27% compared to the last second quarter. The platform is rich in categories and has excellent logistics timeliness. “Rocket Shipping” and “Coupang Fresh Dawn Express” services effectively increased consumer satisfaction rates.
At present, sellers need to have cross-border eCommerce sales experience, a certain number of SKUs, and a public account that can receive RMB, USD, HKD, or KRW to join the platform.
Japan – Rakuten
This eCommerce platform occupies 27.8% of the market share, covering a very complete range of categories and a wide range of user groups.
At present, the platform’s entry requirements are that sellers have a dedicated Japanese operation team, experience in operating Japanese eCommerce platforms, and core competitive products.