The Great Decompression: The Forces Reshaping
E-commerce Profitability in 2026

2025 squeezed e-commerce profitability from every angle. Tariffs created chaos without changing consumer behavior. Advertising’s evolution from optional to unavoidable accelerated further. AI raised competitive baselines while benefiting overseas sellers asymmetrically. Chinese sellers crossed 50% of Amazon's global seller base. Platform fees climbed as Amazon became 60% services, just 40% retail.

But this compression has created the conditions for decompression. Join Marketplace Pulse for a data-driven exploration of the counterforces emerging in 2026 that could reshape marketplace profitability.

In this webinar, you'll discover:

• How conversational commerce could restore organic discovery at scale – and what new customer acquisition models like ChatGPT's Instant Checkout mean for seller economics in 2026
• Which alternative business models are bypassing marketplace dependencies entirely – from creator brands hitting billion-dollar valuations to content-first platforms like TikTok Shop doubling GMV
• Why 25% fewer active sellers but dramatically higher revenue per seller signals a fundamental shift in competitive dynamics – and how to position for profitability within this new reality

Host

Ben Donovan Insights Lead, Marketplace Pulse

Presenters

Matthew Peck Founder & CEO, Market Rocket

Andri Sadlak Head of Product & Strategy, Azoma

Eden Goldberg Chief Strategy Officer, Threecolts