Spicerack opens to sellers worldwide, providing refuge for those affected by Etsy's adult toy ban. The marketplace sees a significant traffic increase, from 5.6K visits in April to 13.6K in June. Expansion plans include Canada and Europe.
In response to Etsy's recent policy change banning adult toys, Spicerack has launched to support artisans affected by this decision. Currently open to sellers worldwide, Spicerack only serves U.S. customers for now, but plans to expand to Canada and Europe soon. This expansion is eagerly awaited by European sellers who don't ship to the U.S. "We’ve got to be realistic about this new marketplace," says CEO Avi Goldstein. "Their traffic has more than doubled in the past two months, rising from 5.6K visits in April to 13.6K visits in June, according to SimilarWeb."
Spicerack's development began over a year ago, after inconsistent deactivation of adult listings from its sister company, Twisted Fantasies, on Etsy. Recognizing the need for a reliable marketplace, Spicerack was created to provide a stable environment for artisans specializing in adult-centric products. Since its launch seven weeks ago, Spicerack has attracted over 100 active shops, with an additional 130 setting up. Half of these shops joined after Etsy’s announcement, highlighting the urgent need for such a platform.
To ensure integrity, shops on Spicerack will be vetted carefully. The platform offers personal seller support, aiming to provide a dependable and welcoming marketplace where artisans can thrive without fear of sudden policy changes. Spicerack's fees are low, with a 5% platform fee on sales (including shipping), and no subscriptions or mandatory advertising. Payments are via PayPal, adding a 3.49% + $0.49 fee, making total selling fees around 8.5%.
Spicerack plans to introduce several programs to help artisans promote their products, including a product launch program, limited edition events, and an influencer matchmaking feature. This feature will enable shops to negotiate directly with vetted influencers and content creators to promote their products. Additionally, Spicerack is developing technology to allow customers to shop together with friends and partners from separate locations. This aims to combine the comfort of online shopping with the social aspect of a joint shopping trip.
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