What does Best Buy’s new Mirakl-powered marketplace mean for third-party sellers? The short answer is: it opens up a Walmart-style expansion in the U.S. and beyond, allowing sellers to list products across more categories while benefiting from Mirakl’s powerful eCommerce platform. For retailers and brands alike, this represents a huge opportunity to reach millions of customers while aligning with a curated, tech-first retail strategy.
Here, we’ll take a look at how exactly you can make the most of this marketplace – and the best way to go about it.
Why is Best Buy Expanding its Marketplace?
Best Buy has traditionally been known for tech and consumer electronics – both of which, it’s fair to say, it has successfully mastered. Now, with its Mirakl integration, Best Buy is expanding into new product categories, including Home, Outdoor, Health, and Lifestyle …to name just a few.
This mirrors strategies seen in marketplaces like Macy’s, where curated product expansion drives new customer engagement really well. For sellers (which is what we care about), it means access to a wider audience and more sales opportunities – and that can only be a good thing.
How Mirakl Powers Best Buy’s Marketplace
Mirakl’s eCommerce platform is the engine behind Best Buy’s marketplace. It provides:
- A seamless way for sellers to list products across multiple categories
- Efficient onboarding through Mirakl Connect
- Built-in tools for catalog management, fulfillment, and pricing
- Scalable infrastructure that supports eDesk’s Mirakl integration for customer service
Or, in its own words: “Mirakl enables retailers like Best Buy to quickly scale into new categories without losing control over brand and customer experience.”
Which all sounds startlingly like a window of opportunity for eCommerce sellers. Because it is…
Opportunities for Third-Party Sellers
Joining Best Buy’s marketplace gives sellers access to:
- A trusted retail brand with millions of loyal customers
- The ability to sell on Best Buy via Mirakl with minimal setup
- Integrated omnichannel returns and fulfillment options
- Increased visibility across new product categories
Sellers can also align this expansion with a multichannel support strategy to manage communications and orders across multiple platforms.
Best Buy’s Expansion and What it Means for Sellers
Best Buy is taking inspiration from Walmart’s (well-publicised, for good reason) marketplace strategy, by focusing on:
- Curated product assortments
- Third-party sellers vetted for quality and relevance
- Category expansion beyond the retailer’s core offering
- Omnichannel services like buy online, pick up in-store
This approach balances rapid growth with brand trust, to make sure the Best Buy marketplace complements the brand’s retail identity. Clever.
Comparison: Best Buy vs. Amazon vs. Walmart
| Feature | Best Buy (Mirakl) | Amazon | Walmart |
| Core Categories | Tech + (now) expanded into lifestyle/home | Everything | Wide range of categories |
| Marketplace Model | Curated, Mirakl-powered | Open, high volume | Curated + volume hybrid |
| Seller Onboarding | Via Mirakl Connect | Direct through Seller Central | Walmart Seller Center |
| Omnichannel Returns | Integrated with stores | Online-focused | In-store and online options |
| Customer Base | Electronics + lifestyle shoppers | Broad, global | U.S. value-focused shoppers |
Key Takeaways for Sellers
- Best Buy’s marketplace is now powered by Mirakl, enabling fast category expansion.
- Third-party sellers can join via Mirakl Connect with streamlined onboarding.
- The strategy mirrors Walmart’s curated yet expansive approach.
- Sellers should prepare a strong multichannel support strategy to maximize success.
FAQs
How do sellers join Best Buy Marketplace?
Sellers can apply through Mirakl Connect, where they’ll complete onboarding, product setup, and compliance checks before listing products.
What platform powers Best Buy’s marketplace?
The marketplace is powered by the Mirakl eCommerce platform, which supports leading retailers worldwide.
What products can I sell on Best Buy Marketplace?
In addition to electronics, Best Buy now allows listings across categories like home, outdoor, health, and lifestyle, depending on approval.
How does Best Buy safeguard product quality?
Like Walmart, Best Buy uses a curated approach, selecting sellers and products that align with its customer expectations.
Best Buy’s Mirakl-powered marketplace is one of the most significant expansions in U.S. retail in recent years. For sellers, it is an opportunity to tap into a new audience, diversify product reach, and align with a trusted retailer. By using Mirakl’s technology, combined with a strong multichannel strategy, sellers can really make the most of this evolving marketplace.
Book a Demo today to see how eDesk can help you succeed on Best Buy and beyond.
