BHETA is inviting suppliers from across the DIY, gardening, housewares and small electrical sectors to attend its EU Marketplaces Forum, a dedicated one-day conference designed to help businesses grow international sales through Europe's leading online marketplaces.
Registration Details
Date: Thursday 10 September 2026
Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Venue: Crowne Plaza NEC Birmingham
The event will bring together marketplace leaders, export specialists and industry experts to provide practical advice and valuable insights for businesses looking to expand into international markets.
As consumer buying habits continue to evolve, online marketplaces are becoming an increasingly important route to market. The EU Marketplaces Forum has been created to help suppliers understand how to successfully navigate this changing landscape, with expert guidance on marketplace strategies, export regulations, logistics, compliance and practical routes to international growth.
Meet the Buyer Opportunities
A key feature of the conference will be the opportunity for suppliers to connect with four leading European marketplace platforms through dedicated Meet the Buyer sessions: bol, Castorama, Joybuy and TikTok Shop.
These sessions will provide attendees with the opportunity to gain valuable insights into marketplace opportunities, explore potential routes to market and understand how to strengthen their presence across European digital channels.
bol is the leading online marketplace in the Netherlands and Belgium, connecting millions of customers with thousands of selling partners across categories including home, outdoor and electronics. The platform supports international sellers through tools, advertising solutions and fulfilment services designed to help businesses grow.
Castorama, part of the Kingfisher Group, is one of France’s leading home improvement retailers. Its rapidly growing marketplace provides suppliers with access to customers looking for products across the DIY, home improvement and lifestyle sectors.
Joybuy, backed by JD.com, combines global e-commerce expertise with advanced technology and logistics capabilities. The platform helps international brands reach new customers while benefiting from the infrastructure and experience of one of the world’s largest retail groups.
TikTok Shop offers a fast-growing social commerce opportunity, combining product discovery, entertainment and purchasing through features such as shoppable videos, live shopping and creator partnerships. The platform provides suppliers with new ways to build brand awareness, reach new audiences and explore international growth opportunities.
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. Appointment confirmations will be provided by the BHETA team during August, with appointment times potentially confirmed in early September.
Learn from Leading Marketplace Experts
Delegates will hear directly from senior representatives from some of Europe's leading online marketplaces, gaining practical insight into how to grow sales across international platforms.
Patricia Lay, Lead International Partnership Growth, and Sophia Prendeville, Senior Business Development Manager UK at bol, will share how UK suppliers can successfully expand into the Dutch and Belgian markets, covering marketplace growth, commercial partnerships and strategies for success in the Benelux region.
From Castorama, Bernard Dieng, Head of Business Development Marketplace, will provide insight into supplier opportunities within one of Europe's leading home improvement retailers and the role marketplaces play in its long-term growth strategy.
Cedric Varin, Marketplace Director at Joybuy, will draw on his extensive ecommerce experience to explain how suppliers can maximise their success on the platform and unlock new international growth opportunities.
Attendees will also hear from TikTok Shop, with expert guidance on how brands can harness one of the fastest-growing ecommerce channels to reach new customers and drive sales.
The conference will also feature expert speakers from key industry partners, including:
- Department for Business and Trade: offering guidance on export support, trade services, and international growth opportunities; hear from Lucy Haine, Global Digital Commerce & Marketplace Partnerships Lead
- RT7: marketplace and digital trading support
- TymeOnline: marketplace growth and trading expertise
- Blaise International: management and distribution company
Together, they will share practical advice, market intelligence and real-world strategies to help suppliers identify new opportunities, overcome export challenges and grow their international presence.
Who Should Attend?
The EU Marketplaces Forum is ideal for suppliers who are:
- Looking to grow export sales
- Exploring international marketplaces for the first time
- Already exporting and looking to expand into new territories
- Seeking practical advice on compliance, logistics and marketplace strategy
- Interested in building new commercial relationships with leading marketplace operators
Cost:
- BHETA Members: £150 + VAT
- Non-members: £200 + VAT
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.
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