BHETA is launching a new initiative designed to help members unlock the full potential of marketplace sales, following strong demand for practical, peer-led support identified at this years Marketplace Day.
Many businesses recognise the significant opportunity that platforms such as Amazon and other marketplaces present, but continue to face challenges navigating complex systems, evolving algorithms, and increasing competition - often in isolation. The new Marketplace Working Groups aim to address this by creating a structured yet collaborative environment where members can learn from one another and share real-world experience.
Carefully Curated, Member-Led Groups
The working groups will bring together small cohorts of around six non-competing businesses, carefully matched by sector and experience level to ensure relevant and open discussion.
BHETA will support the initial formation of each group, before stepping back to allow members to take ownership of the agenda, ensuring conversations remain focused on the issues that matter most to them. This light-touch approach is designed to foster honest dialogue, encourage collaboration, and enable participants to shape the group in a way that delivers maximum value.
A Practical and Flexible Format
Each group will typically meet on a monthly basis, providing a regular forum to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and share successes. Between meetings, members will be encouraged to stay connected, creating an ongoing flow of knowledge and support.
The format is intentionally flexible, allowing topics to evolve naturally and ensuring the groups remain practical, relevant, and action-oriented.
Proven Value from Peer Collaboration
Feedback from members already involved in similar peer groups has been overwhelmingly positive.
Participants highlight the value of sharing experiences with others facing the same challenges, gaining new perspectives, and avoiding common pitfalls. The sessions not only help businesses stay up to date with marketplace developments but also reduce the sense of isolation often associated with managing these channels independently.
Piers Nunn, National Account Manager at Shurtape said of the initial working group: “One of the biggest challenges when working with Amazon is how isolating it can feel - dealing with support that often leads nowhere, constant algorithm changes, new policies, and the pressure of resolving everything independently. The group sessions have been extremely valuable.
"Hearing different approaches to shared issues, understanding what has worked well for others, and exchanging our own experiences creates meaningful knowledge sharing and removes much of that sense of isolation. These sessions make navigating Amazon’s complexities far more manageable.”
Another participant, Kyle Lowe, Retail Account Manager at Triton Showers said: “The monthly Amazon group has been genuinely valuable. It gives me a chance to bounce ideas off other account managers, build a clearer view of how Amazon works in practice, and get honest steer on what opportunities to pursue (and what pitfalls to avoid).
"Most problems that crop up, someone in the group has already dealt with and can share what worked, which saves time and avoids repeat mistakes. It also helps me stay close to new developments on the platform, and it’s a space where we can share wins when things go well. I always look forward to the sessions.” –
Steve Edwards, BHETA Sector Manager, led the project and commented: "The launch of Marketplace Working Groups represents an exciting step forward in BHETA’s commitment to supporting members in a fast-evolving retail landscape. By harnessing the collective knowledge of its network, BHETA is enabling members to build confidence, improve performance, and turn shared experience into tangible commercial advantage".
Commitment to Compliance and Confidentiality
All Marketplace Working Groups will operate under strict adherence to the Enterprise Act, ensuring a compliant and responsible environment for collaboration. Clear ground rules will be in place to prevent any discussion of commercially sensitive information, including pricing, trading terms, customer relationships, market allocation, or business strategies. The focus of each group is firmly on sharing operational best practice, practical experiences, and general marketplace insights in a way that is both legally compliant and professionally valuable.
Register Your Interest
Members interested in joining a Marketplace Working Group are encouraged to register their interest using this form:
Non-members who have an interest in learning more about BHETA and its services should contact Member Services at info@bheta.co.uk or 0121 237 1130.
