Wk4 - Int Business

E-commerce

Buying and selling goods/services through digital channels like the internet or apps

B2C

Business selling directly to individual consumers, e.g. Amazon

B2B

Business selling to other businesses, e.g. Alibaba for wholesalers

C2C

Consumers trading directly with each other, e.g. eBay

C2B

Individuals selling to businesses, e.g. freelance platforms

Digital platform

An online space connecting buyers, sellers, and stakeholders for transactions or services

Network effects

A platform becomes more valuable as more users join it

Marketplace model

Platform connects buyers/sellers but doesn't own inventory, e.g. eBay

Retail/inventory model

Company owns inventory and manages sales/logistics itself, e.g. Amazon

Dropshipping

Retailer lists products without holding stock; supplier ships directly to customer

Subscription model

Customers pay regularly for ongoing access, e.g. Netflix or Amazon Prime

Platform ecosystem

Multiple connected services offered together, e.g. Alibaba's commerce + payments + logistics

Cross-border e-commerce

Selling to international buyers, helping even small businesses reach global markets

M-commerce

Commerce conducted via mobile devices, especially important in emerging markets

Opportunity: scalability

Platforms can quickly add new users and expand into new markets

Challenge: regulation

Tax, consumer protection, and data privacy laws differ across countries

Challenge: logistics

International delivery can be complex and costly

Challenge: trust and security

Platforms must secure payments and protect user data

Amazon example

Started as a bookstore, now the world's largest digital retailer, known for logistics and data-driven recommendations

Alibaba example

China's dominant e-commerce platform, runs Taobao (C2C), Tmall (B2C), and AliExpress (global B2C); known for Singles' Day

Mercado Libre example

Leading Latin American platform combining marketplace, payments (Mercado Pago), and logistics (Mercado Envios)

Shopify example

Lets small businesses quickly build online stores with tools for inventory, payments, and marketing