When Wholesale Marketplaces Close: What Sellers Need to Know (and Do)

When Wholesale Marketplaces Close: What Handmade Sellers Need to Know (and Do)

If you’ve been in the wholesale game for a while, you might have seen some of your favorite wholesale marketplaces come and go. And it can be a bit unsettling, right? Platforms that once seemed like pillars of the wholesale community, connecting small brands to eager retailers, can suddenly vanish, leaving makers and artisans scrambling. Let’s take a closer look at what happened to some popular wholesale marketplaces, what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation, and why it might be time to keep an eye on Shopify Handshake.

When Wholesale Marketplaces Close: A Quick History Lesson

Even the most successful wholesale marketplaces are not immune to the challenges of business operations, financial struggles, and changing market demands. Here’s a rundown of some noteworthy closures that have impacted handmade sellers:

1. Abound Wholesale Marketplace (Closed in 2023-2024) Abound was another beloved platform for handmade and emerging brands. However, after a business model transition in 2023 and 2024, Abound effectively closed. It was later acquired by Carro, a collaborative commerce platform, along with its dropshipping platform, Droply. This transition left many sellers wondering where they should go next.
   

2. Trada Marketplace (2008 - 2023) Launched in 2008, Trada Marketplace was a crowdsourced platform that connected brands with retailers. It gained a solid following, but after 15 years of operation, Trada was forced to close in 2023 due to financial difficulties and pressure from creditors. The news hit many makers hard, especially those who relied heavily on the platform for their wholesale orders.
   

3. Tundra (2017 - 2023) Tundra was another favorite among handmade sellers, known for its no-commission structure and focus on independent brands. However, in June 2023, Tundra announced it was closing its online wholesale marketplace. They pivoted to a new venture, Wholesale Co-Op, but that, too, shuttered at the end of January 2024, leaving sellers and buyers scrambling once more.
   

4. Juniper Market (2021 - 2023) Launched in 2021 with pomp and circumstance (and swag to boot) at the Atlanta Market, Juniper Market aimed to be a major player in the wholesale world, offering a fresh platform for retailers and wholesalers, complete with a highly touted swap program. However, despite the initial excitement and an impressive list of contacts, both retail and wholesale, the platform’s clunky backend proved almost impossible to navigate. By 2023, it became clear that even with the right mix of brands and retailers, a marketplace needs a seamless user experience to thrive.
   

5. Indie & Main Similar to Tundra, Indie & Main was a go-to for many small brands and retailers looking for unique products. However, it too closed its doors unexpectedly, creating a gap in the wholesale marketplace landscape.
   

6. Etsy Wholesale (2015 Closure) Back in the day, Etsy Wholesale was a huge deal for handmade sellers. Launched in 2014, it aimed to connect Etsy’s community of artisans with retailers. However, Etsy shut down the platform in 2015, citing a shift in business focus. The abrupt closure left many makers who had invested time and resources into Etsy Wholesale searching for alternatives.
   

When your favorite wholesale marketplace closes, don’t panic! Stay flexible, be prepared, and always have a Plan B for your handmade business.

Is Shopify Handshake Next?

With all these closures, it’s natural to wonder, “Who’s next?” The wholesale marketplace landscape is constantly evolving, and some industry insiders predict that Shopify Handshake might be the next to face challenges. While Shopify’s marketplace was designed to help connect Shopify merchants with retail buyers, it hasn’t quite gained the traction or loyalty that some of the earlier marketplaces enjoyed.

The lesson here? Diversify your wholesale strategy. Don’t rely solely on one platform to get your products into stores. Shopify Handshake could face its own set of challenges, and being prepared for any shifts in the marketplace landscape is crucial for handmade sellers.

What to Do When a Wholesale Marketplace Closes Suddenly (Hint: Don’t Panic!)

1. Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket This is the number one rule for handmade sellers navigating the wholesale world. If you rely too heavily on one platform, you’re putting yourself at risk. Diversify your presence across multiple platforms and even consider direct outreach to retailers to build stronger, more resilient relationships.
   

2. Communicate with Your Retailers If a marketplace where you’re selling suddenly closes, reach out to the retailers you’ve built relationships with. Keep those relationships going! Send them an email or a newsletter to let them know how they can order from you directly or through other platforms.
   

3. Update Your Line Sheets and Catalogs Have your line sheets and catalogs ready to go. If a platform closes, you can quickly provide retailers with the information they need to keep ordering from you.
   

4. Leverage Social Media and Your Website Make sure you’re promoting your wholesale options on your social media channels and your website. Use your own platforms to drive traffic to wherever you want to do business next.
   

5. Explore New Platforms Stay curious and explore newer or lesser-known wholesale platforms that might be a good fit for your brand. Be open to trying out different marketplaces like Bulletin or Creoate, which offer different benefits and reach.
   

6. Stay Informed and Adapt Quickly Keep your ear to the ground for news in the wholesale world. If a marketplace is showing signs of trouble or changing its terms, be prepared to pivot quickly.
   

Always keep your options open! Make sure you’re listed on multiple platforms and are actively engaging with your retailers to build strong, direct relationships.

Be Ready for Anything in the Wholesale World

The wholesale landscape can change fast, but that’s no reason to panic. Instead, stay informed, stay flexible, and always be ready to adapt your strategy. Wholesale marketplaces like Juniper Market, Faire, Bulletin, and Creoate each offer unique benefits—explore them, test them, and find what works best for your handmade business.

Question for You:

Have you ever experienced a marketplace closure, and how did you handle it? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below—let’s learn from each other and build stronger businesses together.

By staying proactive and ready for anything, you can ensure that your handmade business continues to thrive, no matter what changes come your way. 🌟