EU Marketplaces Forum

Looking to grow your international sales through Marketplaces or test new markets in an accessible way? Come and learn more about the ever-changing EU Marketplaces landscape and meet experts from bol, TikTok, Castorama and Joybuy + Business Support Providers who can help you with your growth potential.
 
Join BHETA for a must-attend EU Marketplaces Forum, featuring insightful presentations and a series of Meet the Buyer sessions with leading EU marketplace platforms, designed to help suppliers from the housewares, SEA, DIY, and garden sectors unlock new opportunities across European markets.
 
Whether you are already exporting or taking your first steps into international trade, this event will give you the insight, connections, and practical support you need to succeed in the EU marketplace landscape.

Why attend?

Exporting into the EU is evolving rapidly, with changing regulations, new digital routes to market, and the growing dominance of online marketplaces reshaping how brands reach European consumers. This conference will help you understand what’s changing - and how to stay ahead.

Expect a full day of expert-led insight, practical guidance, and valuable networking, including:

What to expect?

The morning session will include introductions and presentations from participating marketplace operators, who will outline the opportunity they offer to potential vendors, the categories they are looking to develop, and how suppliers can engage with their platforms.

BHETA Business Support Providers and expert partners will also be available to provide guidance on the practical challenges of export and marketplace trading, including logistics, compliance, administration, digital trading and commercial growth.

In the afternoon, attendees who have secured appointments will take part in scheduled Meet the Buyer sessions.

While appointments are taking place, there will also be opportunities to speak informally with marketplace operators and support providers, as well as to attend a series of fireside chats in the main meeting room.

BHETA staff will be on hand throughout the day to help attendees make the most of the event and guide them towards the most relevant people to speak to.

Meet the Buyer Sessions

A major feature of the conference is the opportunity to connect directly with four leading EU marketplace platforms: bol, Castorama, Joybuy and TikTok Shop.

Through dedicated Meet the Buyer sessions, attendees will be able to engage with marketplace representatives, explore listing and trading opportunities, and gain practical insights into how to expand and strengthen sales across European digital channels.

Please note that Meet the Buyer appointments are subject to availability and suitability. Marketplace representatives will review appointment requests and may accept or decline requests at their discretion. BHETA cannot guarantee that any attendee will secure a Meet the Buyer appointment. Your appointment(s) will be confirmed by the BHETA team during August. Appointment times may not be confirmed until early September.

Bol.com

Bol is the leading online marketplace in the Netherlands and Belgium, and the second most visited local marketplace in the EU. In 2025, bol reached €6.3 billion in revenue, serving 14 million active customers through 49,000 sales partners. The platform offers a wide range of categories, including outdoor, electronics, and home.
 
Bol provides international sellers with a user-friendly seller portal and seamless integration options, marketing tools such as Sponsored Products, Branded Shelves, and advertising campaigns, plus logistics solutions, including warehousing and next-day delivery via bol’s fulfillment service. 
 
Patricia Lay (Lead International Partnership Growth) and Sophia Prendeville (Senior Business Development Manager UK) will represent bol. They focus on building and scaling UK partnerships across the Benelux region. Patricia specialises in growing bol’s international partner ecosystem by identifying strong UK sellers and aligning their expansion strategies with new marketplace opportunities. Sophia works closely with UK brands and retailers from a commercial standpoint, helping them launch, optimise performance, and achieve sustainable growth.

Castorama

Castorama is France's leading home improvement retailer, with over 93 stores, 11,000+ colleagues, and £2 billion in annual revenue. Part of the Kingfisher Group the European DIY powerhouse behind B&Q. They serve millions of customers passionate about making their homes better. Launched just 2 years ago, their marketplace already represents 26% of Castorama's total e-commerce, proving its rapid growth and massive potential.
 
Castorama will be represented by Bernard Dieng, Head of Business Development Marketplace. With over 10 years’ experience, he leads Business Development for the Marketplace a strategic cornerstone of the company's digital transformation and long-term growth ambitions. 

Joybuy

Joybuy is the international marketplace backed by JD.com, one of the world's largest e-commerce retailers. Supported by JD.com's advanced logistics network, technology, and global commerce expertise, Joybuy connects international brands with a fast-growing marketplace, providing sellers with opportunities to reach new customers while benefiting from a trusted and scalable e-commerce ecosystem.
 
Joybuy supports third-party (3P) sellers with marketplace tools, strong logistics capabilities, and access to JD.com's established infrastructure, helping brands expand internationally and grow their sales through one of the world's largest retail platforms.
 
Cedric Varin (Marketplace Director) will represent Joybuy. Having joined JD.com after previous roles at Amazon, Essor, McKinsey & Company, and Etam Lingerie, Cedric is responsible for driving seller growth by onboarding new businesses, building relationships with brands of all sizes, and helping partners maximise their success across the Joybuy marketplace.

TikTok Shop

TikTok Shop is one of the fastest-growing social commerce platforms, bringing together entertainment, product discovery and in-app purchasing. Through shoppable videos, live shopping, creator partnerships and product showcases, TikTok Shop enables brands to reach consumers in a highly engaging, content-led environment. 

TikTok Shop has already established a strong presence in the UK and continues to expand its international footprint. In Europe, TikTok Shop is now available in markets including the UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland, giving sellers access to a growing social commerce opportunity across multiple territories. 

This session will be particularly relevant for suppliers looking to reach new audiences, test products in new markets, build brand visibility through social commerce, and explore how TikTok Shop can form part of a wider export and marketplace strategy. 

Meet the experts

We are pleased to be joined by key industry partners who will share practical support available to UK exporters:

Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with BHETA Business Support Providers across export, compliance, logistics, marketing and digital commerce, giving them direct access to specialist advice on the issues that can make or break international marketplace success.

Costs

BHETA Member rate: £150 + VAT (per delegate)
Non-member rate: £200 + VAT (per delegate)

The event fee covers attendance at the forum, including access to presentations, networking opportunities and the ability to apply for Meet the Buyer appointments. The fee is the same whether an attendee secures no Meet the Buyer appointments, one appointment or multiple appointments. Meet the Buyer appointments are not sold separately and are not guaranteed.

Cancellation Policy

BHETA reserves the right to cancel the event by providing at least 31 days’ notice. In the event of cancellation by BHETA, all registration fees will be refunded in full. Please note that refunds will not be issued for attendee cancellations.