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B2B e-commerce, vertical marketplaces and self-service: 2026 trends

December 12, 2025
Concepción García

B2B e-commerce has established itself as one of the largest transformations of the business environment. Companies have left behind the traditional channel based on calls, printed catalogs and face-to-face negotiations, and have adopted digital platforms that allow fast, transparent and global professional purchases. Technologies such as machine translators, digital configurators or dynamic pricing systems are removing historical barriers and opening up new opportunities for internationalization.

Meanwhile, the B2B marketplaces And the digital self-service models are becoming essential infrastructures within business-to-business trade.

By 2025, figures and trends confirm a sustained growth in B2B e-commerce, which already far exceeds the volume of B2C e-commerce in various industrial sectors.

The evolution of e-commerce in the B2B environment

El B2B e-commerce includes all transactions made between companies through digital channels. Unlike B2C e-commerce, focused on the final consumer, B2B incorporates more complex processes: negotiation, volume pricing, specific delivery times, internal order approval and long-term business relationships.

Cases such as Amazon Business have accelerated this trend, demonstrating that digitalization can coexist with traditional negotiation, providing efficiency without losing the value of long-term relationships.

The main differences with B2C include:

Adapt The digital experience requires the professional buyer understand its context: collegial decision-making, the need for technical details and the search for reliable suppliers.

What characterizes B2B versus B2C e-commerce

While B2C seeks to promote rapid conversion, B2B is aimed at facilitate efficient supply management. B2B platforms usually include features such as:

In essence, B2B ecommerce doesn't just sell: optimizes processes and reduces operating costs.

B2B Marketplaces: the new infrastructure for business-to-business commerce

Los B2B marketplaces have emerged as a fundamental pillar of business-to-business trade. They function as a centralized point where multiple suppliers offer their products to professional buyers, providing visibility, international reach and efficiency.

What are vertical marketplaces and why are they gaining ground

Vertical marketplaces specialize in a specific sector. Their growth is due to the fact that they offer:

Unlike horizontal marketplaces, vertical marketplaces allow for deeper customization according to the real needs of the industry.

Examples of B2B marketplaces by industry

Benefits for manufacturers, distributors and buyers

B2B marketplaces generate significant benefits, which are:

In addition, the marketplace acts as a unified point of contact, offering accurate technical information, real-time availability and tools for recurring purchases.

Risks and challenges of relying on third-party platforms

However, there are associated risks:

Companies must balance their presence in marketplaces with the development of their own channels so as not to rely completely on third parties

Digital Self-Service: Empowering the B2B Buyer

Digital self-service allows the buyer to autonomously manage the entire process: information request, stock inquiries, recurring orders, product configuration and tracking. For organizations, this model involves:

B2B self-service does not eliminate the role of the seller, but rather transforms it into consultative advisory tasks.

Trends in B2B e-commerce in 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, there is an evolution towards more intelligent and automated models:

Conclusion

B2B e-commerce, vertical marketplaces and digital self-service are redefining business-to-business commerce. Adopting these models allows manufacturers, distributors and buyers to operate with greater efficiency, transparency and global scale. In an increasingly competitive digital environment, organizations that invest in technology and digital experience will be better prepared to lead the market in 2026.

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