Polish sales platforms offer great opportunities for both novice sellers and experienced entrepreneurs. Thanks to their wide reach, large number of active users and developed sales tools, they are an effective channel for reaching customers in the domestic market.
Based on our experience in introducing sellers to Polish sales platforms, we have prepared a ranking of the most popular marketplaces that are effective sales channels for manufacturers and distributors. This practical compilation provides support for anyone who wants to consciously develop their e-commerce business and maximize the potential of Polish sales platforms.
Table of contents
What is a sales platform?
A sales platform is an online venue that allows sellers to offer their products and customers to buy them. It acts as an intermediary between the seller and the buyer, providing sales space, listing management tools, and often logistics, payment and promotional support.
Sales platforms, also known as marketplaces, differ from traditional online stores in that they bring together multiple vendors in one place, creating a rich selection of products from different categories. This allows customers to conveniently compare offers, choose the best prices and buy products from different vendors in a single transaction.
Key features of sales platforms:
Multichannel: allow you to sell different products in multiple categories.
Ready-made infrastructure: offer payment, shipping and marketing solutions.
High visibility: with a large number of users, they help increase sales reach.
Examples of sales platforms in Poland include Allegro, Erli or Empik, and in the international market – Amazon or eBay. These platforms are an attractive alternative for sellers who want to start selling online quickly without investing in building their own online store.
Sales platforms Poland - Ranking
Below is a ranking of the most popular sales platforms in Poland. The list of marketplaces was determined on the basis of my knowledge and the successes of clients who successfully sell on these platforms. This is a subjective list to indicate the most effective sales platforms for manufacturers and distributors operating on the Polish market.
1. Allegro
Allegro is the largest and most popular sales platform in Poland, and has dominated the domestic e-commerce market for years. According to statistics, it is used by more than 20 million users per month, making it the leader among Polish marketplaces. With a wide range of products covering almost all categories, from electronics to fashion and groceries, Allegro has become the first choice for both buyers and sellers.
The platform stands out for its advanced sales support tools, such as Allegro Ads, which help sellers promote their listings. Allegro also offers a comprehensive logistics infrastructure, including Allegro Smart, a program that provides free delivery for customers, further enhancing its appeal.
With its leadership position, Allegro sets the standard in Polish e-commerce, and a presence on this platform is often the key to success for many sellers who want to reach a wide range of users in Poland.
2 Amazon EN
Amazon.pl is the Polish version of Amazon’s global sales platform, which debuted in March 2021. It allows customers in Poland to shop for a wide range of products, including electronics, books, clothing and daily necessities.
Amazon’s entry into the Polish market generated great interest and high expectations among both consumers and sellers. Many Poles were counting on a significant change in e-commerce, attractive prices, a wide range of products and service standards on a level known from other countries. However, the platform’s initial phase disappointed some, mainly because of its limited offerings and features that deviated from Amazon’s global standards. It was only over time that the company began to expand its offerings and adapt its strategy to local needs in an effort to meet customers’ original expectations.
Currently, Amazon is becoming increasingly involved in the Polish market, investing in marketing and building recognition of its brand. Thanks to intensive promotional campaigns and gradual expansion of its offerings, the platform is consistently strengthening its position, which suggests that its importance in Polish e-commerce will gradually increase.
3. erli
Erli is a Polish sales platform that is gaining popularity. Thanks to its dynamic development and favorable terms of cooperation, it stands out from other marketplaces available on the Polish market.
One of Erla’s main strengths is its attractive terms for first-time sellers, including lower commissions than its competitors. This makes the platform a cost-effective alternative for companies looking for new sales opportunities. It is suitable for both small and large businesses, offering a wide range of promotional tools and professional technical support.
The platform is also distinguished by its ease of use and clear account management rules. The intuitive system enables efficient order management, effective customer service and marketing activities, making Erli a friendly place to develop e-commerce business.
4. Empik
Empik Marketplace is a sales platform developed by Empik, one of Poland’s leading cultural and entertainment retailers. With the introduction of Marketplace, the company has significantly expanded its offerings to include not only traditional products such as books and multimedia, but also electronics, fashion, cosmetics and home goods.
The platform provides sellers with access to a wide range of customers and support for effective sales management, while buyers are offered a convenient order fulfillment process, with the option of pickup at Empik stores or direct home delivery. Thanks to the brand’s strong position in the market and high standards of customer service, Empik Marketplace is highly trusted by both sellers and consumers.
5. ceneo
Ceneo is one of the largest and most visited price comparison sites in Poland, which also serves as a sales platform. The site allows users to compare product offers from various online stores, helping them find the most attractive prices and the best purchase conditions. Among the available categories are electronics, home appliances, fashion, cosmetics, books, household goods and food products.
Thanks to a system of ratings and reviews, users can choose reliable stores, which increases trust in sellers and makes purchasing decisions easier. Recognizable branding, a wide range of offerings and a user-friendly interface make Ceneo a valuable tool for shoppers, and an effective way for retailers to increase visibility and reach new customers.
6 Arena
Arena.pl is a Polish shopping platform that offers a variety of products in categories such as home and garden, electronics, fashion, culture, automotive and health. The platform focuses on working exclusively with Polish companies, eliminating unfair competition and actively supporting local entrepreneurs. Sellers using Arena can count on dedicated support and assistance from technical experts, making it easier to manage listings and serve customers.
The platform is part of the growing trend of consumer patriotism in Poland, thus attracting customers who want to support domestic businesses. For many shoppers, knowing that their purchases support local businesses is becoming a key factor in their purchasing decisions, giving Arena a competitive advantage in the Polish e-commerce market.
7. apricots
Morele.net is a Polish e-commerce platform that initially focused on the sale of electronics and hardware, but over time has evolved into a marketplace. It now offers a wide range of products, covering categories such as consumer electronics and appliances, computers, smartphones, gaming, home and garden furnishings, and children’s items.
Morele’s Marketplace allows third-party sellers to list their products, taking advantage of the platform’s extensive infrastructure and its customer base. Sellers have at their disposal advanced sales management tools, professional technical support and options for promoting listings. Customers, in turn, gain access to a variety of products at competitive prices, making shopping on Morele convenient and cost-effective.
8. kauflandPL
Kaufland.pl Marketplace is a new e-commerce platform introduced to the Polish market by the well-known German retail chain Kaufland. Marketplace offers retailers the chance to reach a wide range of customers, leveraging the power of Kaufland’s recognizable brand. Although the platform is just developing, its growth potential makes it an interesting option for companies looking for additional sales channels in Poland. It is distinguished by the simplicity of starting a sale and a strong emphasis on the security of transactions, which further increases its attractiveness to sellers and buyers.
9. Aliexpress + Temu
AliExpress and Temu, while attracting attention with their wide assortments and low prices, are challenging for sellers due to the nature of these platforms. They are heavily dominated by Chinese manufacturers and suppliers, leaving local entrepreneurs to compete with extremely low prices.
An additional problem for Polish companies is the image of these platforms, which are seen by many customers as places to sell cheap, lower-quality products, often with long delivery times. This can negatively affect the perception of brands choosing to sell products on AliExpress or Temu. Customers now expect not only attractive prices, but also high quality service and fast order processing, which is not always standard on these platforms. As a result, reputable Polish brands may risk having their image identified with lower-quality products, characteristic of some offerings on these platforms.
10. Decathlon Marketplace
Decathlon Marketplace is a sales platform created by the Decathlon chain, one of the world’s largest sports retailers. The Marketplace enables third-party retailers to offer their products through Decathlon’s website, allowing them to reach a wide range of customers interested in sports, tourism and physical activity.
The platform focuses on products related to a variety of sports, from apparel and footwear to sports equipment to accessories and nutritional supplements. By integrating with the recognizable Decathlon brand, the marketplace provides retailers with access to a large base of loyal customers with specific needs.
Decathlon Marketplace stands out for its high standard of service and technical support for sellers, making it easier to manage sales and offers. Customers, on the other hand, benefit from a convenient shopping process and a wide selection of products tailored to their activities. For companies in the sports industry, the platform provides an attractive solution to increase sales reach and build visibility in the sports segment.
Advantages of selling on sales platforms?
Access to a wide customer base
Sales platforms have millions of active users, allowing sellers to instantly access a large group of potential customers without having to build their own traffic.Ready-made infrastructure
Marketplaces offer tools to manage sales, payments and shipping, eliminating the need to invest in building and maintaining your own online store.Brand recognition of the platform
Using established platforms such as Allegro or Amazon increases the credibility of sellers in the eyes of customers due to the reputation and popularity of these sites.Ease of starting sales
The process of registering and launching sales on the platforms is usually quick and intuitive, allowing for immediate entry into the market.Promotional tools
Most platforms offer merchants access to advanced marketing tools, such as sponsored ads, discount coupons or promotions that increase the visibility of offers.Automated payments and transaction security
Marketplaces handle payments, providing security for both seller and customer, minimizing the risk of fraudulent transactions.Ability to reach international customers
Global platforms such as Amazon and Allegro enable sellers to expand into foreign markets, increasing their potential reach.Building positive reviews
The system of ratings and reviews on platforms allows vendors to earn customers’ trust and build a good reputation.Minimize marketing costs
Merchants can take advantage of traffic generated by the platform, which significantly reduces customer acquisition costs compared to investing in advertising for their own store.Technical support and customer service
Platforms often offer technical support and order resolution assistance, which takes the burden off the vendor and allows them to focus on business development.Adapting to mobile devices
Most platforms are optimized for mobile devices, allowing retailers to reach customers who purchase via smartphones and tablets.Simplified logistics
Many platforms offer logistics services (e.g., Allegro Smart, Amazon FBA) that simplify order fulfillment, from warehousing to shipping.
Disadvantages of selling on sales platforms?
High commissions and fees
Sales platforms charge commissions on each transaction, and often additional fees for promoting listings or using certain features, which can significantly reduce a seller’s margin.Strong competition
There is a high concentration of sellers on sales platforms, often offering similar products, which can lead to price wars and reduced profits.Lack of full control over the brand
Vendors are constrained by the platform’s rules and design, making it difficult to build a unique brand identity and relationship with customers.Dependence on platform rules and regulations
Platforms may change their terms and conditions, search algorithms or commissions, which may affect the visibility of listings and profitability of sales.Lack of direct contact with customers
Customers are treated as users of the platform rather than direct customers of the vendor, making it difficult to build loyalty and conduct remarketing activities.Threat of competition from platform
Some platforms, such as Amazon, may introduce their own products to compete with those offered by sellers, using sales data to optimize their own offerings.Limited personalization of listings
Vendors must adapt their listings to the platform’s templates and requirements, which can limit creativity and flexibility in product presentation.Dependence on search algorithms
The visibility of listings on the platform is dependent on algorithms that may favor certain products, prices or sellers, making it difficult to predict sales results.Risk of account freezing
Violation of the platform’s rules and regulations, even accidentally, can lead to the suspension of a merchant’s account, resulting in loss of revenue and reputation.Conflicts with customers handled by the platform
In the case of disputes with customers, platform decisions often favor buyers, which can result in losses for the seller.Dependence on a single sales channel
Over-reliance on a single platform exposes the vendor to risks associated with its potential problems, changes in terms and conditions or declining popularity.Difficult to stand out
Standardization of offerings on platforms makes it difficult to distinguish your product or brand from hundreds of similar offerings.
Selling on marketplace platforms has many benefits, but it also requires careful analysis of costs, risks and proper planning to minimize the impact of the mentioned drawbacks on business operations.
Why is diversifying sales platforms the key to success?
Diversification of sales platforms is a strategy that involves selling simultaneously on different marketplaces. For e-commerce sellers, this is a key element in achieving success and safeguarding business from a variety of risks. Here are the top reasons to diversify your sales channels:
Reduce business risk
Relying on a single platform can be risky – changes in its terms and conditions, commissions or algorithms can significantly affect the visibility of listings and the revenue generated. By selling on several platforms, you minimize the risk of depending on one source of income.Reaching different customer groups
Each platform attracts different target groups and has its own specific characteristics. For example, Allegro is very popular in Poland, while Amazon.co.uk may be more attractive to customers who prefer international shopping. Being present on different marketplaces allows you to reach a wider range of customers with diverse needs.Increase brand visibility
Selling on multiple platforms helps build brand awareness and increases brand recognition. Customers are more likely to notice your products if they are available in multiple places at the same time.The ability to test marketplaces
Diversification allows sellers to see which platforms are most effective for their product mix. You can test different pricing strategies, promotions or product groups on different marketplaces to optimize your business.Leverage the unique functionalities of platforms
Different platforms offer different marketing, promotional tools or analytics systems. Vendors can use these features to better tailor their offers to meet customer expectations and increase sales.Building resilience to market changes
In the rapidly changing world of e-commerce, diversification allows you to adapt more easily to new trends, technologies or consumer behavior. If one platform loses popularity, your efforts on other channels will keep your business stable.
Diversifying sales platforms is not only a way to increase revenue, but also to build long-term resilience and flexibility in running a business. Working with multiple marketplaces allows you to take advantage of diverse opportunities, reach a wide range of customers and avoid dependence on a single platform, which is crucial in the competitive world of e-commerce.
How to choose the right sales platform?
Choosing a sales platform is a crucial step for any entrepreneur entering the e-commerce market. This decision can affect sales efficiency, operating costs and customer satisfaction. Here are the most important criteria to consider when choosing the right platform:
Target audience
First of all, consider who your customers are and what platforms they visit. Each platform attracts a different group of customers – it’s a good idea to choose one that best suits the needs of your audience.Costs and commissions
Compare the fees that platforms charge for listing products, sales commissions and additional costs such as advertising or logistics services. Choose the option that will allow you to remain price competitive and have a good margin.Platform popularity and reach
Find out how much traffic a particular platform generates and how many users are actively using it.Functions and support tools
Make sure the platform offers useful features such as promotion tools, sales analysis, a rating system or integrations with ERP and logistics systems.Rating and review system
Check out how the rating system works on the platform. Transparency and the ability to collect positive feedback from customers can significantly impact your sales and reputation.Platform Policies and Regulations
Review the platform’s policies, such as return policy, customer protection or restrictions on products on display. Choose a platform whose rules and regulations are compatible with your business model.Feedback from other sellers
Check out what other entrepreneurs are saying about the platform. Their experiences can be a valuable source of information on the potential benefits and difficulties of making sales.Growth opportunities
Evaluate whether the platform allows you to scale your business as your company grows. Does it offer options for international sales? Does it introduce innovations that will help you reach more customers?
Summary
Choosing the right sales platform should be well thought out and tailored to your business strategy, target audience and type of products. By having a presence on multiple marketplaces, entrepreneurs can expand the reach of their offerings, reach different customer segments and minimize the risks associated with dependence on a single sales channel. In the world of e-commerce, where flexibility and adaptation are key, sales platforms are the foundation for building e-commerce success. It is worth taking advantage of their potential to grow your business and increase its visibility in an increasingly competitive market.
If you have doubts about which sales platform to choose, contact us – we can help you find the perfect solution for your business.
