What is Empik and How to Sell on It?

By Thomas Bennett Financial expert at Priceva
Published on November 20, 2025
EmpikPlace is the largest Polish online marketplace, offering sellers access to a trusted retail ecosystem backed by the Empik brand, which has been a household name in Poland since 1998. While the platform started with books and media, it now spans 20+ product categories including electronics, beauty, fashion, and home goods.

With over 60 million annual visitors and more than 5 million active buyers, EmpikPlace presents a strong opportunity for merchants targeting the Polish e-commerce market. Poland’s online retail sector is growing rapidly—at 15–20% annually—making it one of the most dynamic markets in Central Europe. The combination of strong digital infrastructure and high consumer trust in local platforms gives EmpikPlace a competitive edge.

A major driver of conversions on EmpikPlace is its loyalty program. Empik Premium has over 2 million members who shop more often and spend significantly more per order. For sellers, this means access to a valuable and high-intent customer segment.

EmpikPlace supports diverse sellers, but it also sets clear listing standards. Sellers must provide complete product data (15+ fields), Polish-language descriptions, EAN codes, and accurate categorization. Empik’s system favors structured, localized content that resonates with local buying behavior.

In short, EmpikPlace combines brand trust, market reach, and a growing customer base to create a fertile environment for e-commerce success. Sellers who meet its requirements and adapt their content to Polish shoppers can tap into one of Europe’s most promising digital markets.

What is EmpikPlace and Why Sell There

EmpikPlace is the largest Polish online marketplace, serving as a trusted digital storefront for both global and local sellers. Launched as part of the Empik Group in 2015, EmpikPlace builds on the longstanding reputation of Empik, a cultural and media retail giant in Poland since 1998. Today, EmpikPlace hosts over 5 million active buyers and continues to grow steadily thanks to the rise in digital shopping and strong consumer loyalty.

Poland, with a population nearing 38 million and fast-rising internet adoption, offers fertile ground for e-commerce expansion. EmpikPlace operates in Poland with a robust infrastructure and excellent brand equity, making it an ideal launchpad for businesses aiming to enter or expand in the Central European market. Polish online shoppers trust EmpikPlace’s curation, ease of use, and wide product variety. Its massive audience provides sellers with instant exposure to millions of potential customers.

Key advantages of selling on EmpikPlace include its user-friendly interface, strong brand recognition, and access to a diverse product-hungry consumer base. Whether a business specializes in books, electronics, cosmetics, or home goods, EmpikPlace provides a legitimate avenue to tap into one of Europe's most promising and underpenetrated digital markets.

Key Takeaways:
  • Largest domestic marketplace in Poland
  • Over 5 million active online shoppers
  • Operates in a fast-growing e-commerce region
  • Strong brand recognition and consumer trust
  • Open to over 20+ product categories

Polish E‑commerce Landscape Overview

The Polish e-commerce market has experienced consistent annual growth rates of 15–20%, making it one of Europe’s fastest-expanding digital economies. This growth is driven by increased internet penetration, mobile-first consumer behavior, and rising disposable income. With a population of nearly 38 million, Poland presents an attractive and scalable market for online sellers.

In 2023, the online retail sector surpassed €20 billion in total revenue, with the book and media category alone contributing over €2.1 billion—growing at 6% annually. Unlike Western Europe, Polish consumers are highly value-oriented and often compare multiple sources before making purchasing decisions. Price transparency, detailed product descriptions, and fast delivery are key drivers of purchase intent.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption across all age groups in Poland, turning many occasional online buyers into regular customers. As of now, over 77% of internet users in Poland shop online at least once a month. This trend continues to build momentum, with a noticeable shift toward marketplaces like EmpikPlace, which offer consolidated shopping experiences.

EmpikPlace benefits from this national shift, gaining ground on competitors like Allegro and Amazon.pl through its focus on cultural relevance, product diversity, and loyalty-driven shopping.

EmpikPlace Premium Program

Empik Premium is a subscription-based loyalty program designed to incentivize repeat purchases and increase customer lifetime value. With over 2 million active Premium members, the program offers exclusive perks such as free or reduced shipping, early access to deals, and special discounts.

These Premium members shop more frequently and spend about 30% more per order than regular customers. For sellers, this presents a clear opportunity to boost sales volume and average order value. By strategically targeting Premium users through tailored offers or value-added bundles, sellers can tap into one of the most profitable customer segments on EmpikPlace.

Participating in the Premium program doesn’t require separate enrollment but optimizing for it does. Tactics include premium-tier product presentation, exclusive variants, faster shipping options, and clearly highlighted loyalty rewards. The program's direct link to customer retention makes it one of the most powerful tools for sellers looking to build consistent revenue.

EmpikPlace supports sellers with tools for managing visibility within Premium segments, giving access to analytics that track Premium customer engagement and conversion performance.

Product Categories and Selling Requirements

EmpikPlace accepts over 20 distinct product categories, offering significant flexibility for sellers. These include books, electronics, home goods, fashion, beauty products, toys, games, and sports equipment. While the platform originated as a book specialist, it now supports a vast and growing ecosystem of general merchandise.

Books remain a core pillar of the platform due to Empik’s long-standing publishing roots. However, categories like electronics, personal care, and home accessories have seen the most significant growth in recent years. Electronics buyers tend to prioritize technical specifications and delivery speed, while fashion and beauty customers expect clear sizing, real photos, and lifestyle-driven content.

Each product category comes with its own set of listing and compliance requirements. For example, electronics listings must include detailed specifications, EAN codes, and warranty information. Cosmetic products need ingredient lists and country of origin details. Toys and games must comply with EU safety standards, especially CE marking.

To succeed in a given category, sellers should not only meet all regulatory and technical listing requirements but also understand customer expectations and product presentation norms. EmpikPlace offers documentation for each category’s mandatory and optional fields, allowing for accurate product feed preparation.

Step‑by‑Step Registration and Account Setup

Selling on EmpikPlace begins with a structured onboarding process designed to ensure platform quality and legal compliance. The registration process includes application submission, documentation review, account verification, and profile setup. New sellers should prepare key documents in advance to streamline approval and begin selling faster.

EmpikPlace Registration Process

To start, sellers must complete an online application through the EmpikPlace seller portal. This step requires basic business information including the legal company name, VAT ID, contact email, and billing details. Poland mandates VAT compliance for foreign and local sellers, so it’s essential to register for VAT and provide a valid tax identification number.

The platform requires supporting documentation, including a certificate of business registration, proof of bank account ownership, and an official ID of the business representative. Documentation must match submitted company details exactly. All materials must be submitted in Polish or include a certified translation.

After submission, the Empik team reviews applications within 3 to 5 business days. During this verification period, sellers may be contacted for clarifications or additional documents. Approval triggers access to the seller dashboard, where listing creation and order management tools become available.

EmpikPlace offers onboarding support in Polish and English, with guides, FAQs, and customer service accessible through the seller portal. Timely and accurate documentation significantly speeds up the process, enabling sellers to focus on launching and optimizing their EmpikPlace store.

Steps:
  1. Submit company details and bank account information.
  2. Accept the EmpikPlace Seller Agreement.
  3. Wait for verification.
  4. Set up your store: shipping, payments, listings.
  5. Begin listing products and managing orders.

Ensuring your documents are clean (active company, EU‑based, bank account accurate) helps avoid delays.

Setting Up Your Seller Profile for Success

A polished seller profile improves buyer trust and conversion. Key elements: brand name or business name that is easy for Polish consumers to read and pronounce; a concise seller description in Polish that outlines who you are, what you sell and what makes you different; clear shipping and return policies that mirror Polish consumer expectations; profile image or logo that aligns with your brand; good initial reviews or credible seller rating if possible.

Better conversion often follows higher seller ratings. Ensuring prompt shipping, accurate listings and clear communication helps raise your rating over time. Treat your profile as a storefront: elegance, clarity and professionalism matter just as much online as in a physical store.

Creating Winning Product Listings on EmpikPlace

The heart of marketplace success lies in Product Feed Management—creating and optimising listings so they show up, engage and convert. EmpikPlace requires structured data fields (typically 15+ required fields) for each product including EAN/GTIN, title in Polish, description in Polish, brand, model, category, images, shipping class, VAT rate, logistic class and more. Sellers can upload via CSV or XML format or use the dashboard bulk‑upload feature.
EmpikPlace supports daily feed updates and provides templates to help structure data correctly.
Organising data properly matters: incomplete fields, mismatched categories or missing Polish descriptions reduce visibility and may result in pool of inactive listings. Because the Polish market has distinct buyer behaviour (value orientation, preference for local language, attention to details), localisation of listings is essential. Using simple English‑to‑Polish translation usually under‑performs—prioritise culturally‑relevant wording, highlight durability, value, trust and convenience which Polish consumers appreciate.

Optimising product descriptions involves more than translation. For example: instead of “luxury design” emphasise “high durability and excellent value” for the Polish market. Include clear specification lists, size/metric conversions (cm rather than inches), shipping time, warranty terms, return information. Use keywords that Polish buyers use—run simple keyword research (e.g., “opaska sportowa”, “szminka matowa”) and include them in title and description.

Visuals matter: high‑quality images, showing multiple angles, contextual usage and lifestyle shots perform better. Also ensure images meet the platform’s technical requirements (resolution, size, file format) to avoid listing rejection or poor display.

In short: a winning listing on EmpikPlace is technically complete, fully localised, aligned with Polish customer preferences and visually strong.

Product Data Requirements and Best Practices

Select CSV or XML upload according to your technical setup. Use templates provided by EmpikPlace to avoid errors. Ensure all required fields are completed—missing any mandatory field may cause listing rejection or invisibility. Key fields: EAN/GTIN (for unique product identification), Polish title (within recommended character limits), Polish description (highlighting key features, benefits and specs), category (correct sub‑category), shipping class, VAT rate, stock count, logistic class.

Example: If you list a fitness tracker, you might provide: EAN “1234567890123”, Title “Opaska sportowa XYZ – monitor aktywności, czarna”, Description “Opaska sportowa XYZ łączy dokładny pomiar tętna, śledzenie snu i wodoodporność 50 m. Idealna zarówno dla początkujących jak i zaawansowanych użytkowników. Polskie menu, 12‑miesięczna gwarancja.” Use Polish metric units (cm, kg) where applicable.

Bulk‑upload is supported, enabling efficient data handling if you list hundreds or thousands of SKUs. Update frequency ideal is daily or every few days to keep inventory, price and promotion data fresh. Avoid common rejection reasons like missing shipping class, duplicate EAN, images too small or language mismatch. Clean data helps listings go live and perform.

Completion of structured fields correlates with visibility In the dashboard you can use the Analytics section to see which listings are inactive due to missing data or low quality. Improving data quality early reduces wasted inventory sitting idle.

Optimizing Product Descriptions for Polish Customers

Polish customers appreciate clear benefits, robust specifications and value orientation. A description that begins with “Repeated 10,000 times’’, or includes filler marketing language will underperform. Instead adopt a simple structure: lead with key benefit, follow with specs, then local usage context. For example: “Monitor X pozwala zmierzyć tętno w czasie rzeczywistym, jest wodoodporny i oferuje 12‑miesięczną gwarancję. Idealny do treningu w deszczu i na basenie.”

Incorporate keywords naturally rather than stuffing. Example keywords: “monitor tętna”, “opaska fitness”, “zegarek sportowy”. Use bullet lists to present features (especially for mobile readers). Keep sentences concise (< 10 words) and paragraphs < 50 words for readability. That also aligns with you style guide.

Include local trust signals: warranty in Poland, Polish language menu, shipping from EU, return policy. Such signals boost confidence. Consider comparison phrases: “W porównaniu z modelem Y nasza opaska oferuje…” to frame value.

Finally, test which descriptions convert better by comparing click‑through and conversion data in your seller dashboard. Use those insights to refine language and structure. Over time, high‑quality descriptions contribute to better visibility and higher conversion on EmpikPlace.

Localization Requirements

Localization goes beyond translation. Polish consumers expect culturally‑relevant language, terminology and references. For example, instead of “black Friday” refer to “Black Friday w Polsce” when promoting. Use metric measurements, local units, Polish currency (zł) in pricing display if appropriate. Adjust product names to Polish phonetics if needed.

Promotional materials (email, packaging, images) should reflect local holidays, customs and colours. Polish buyers may value value bundles or free shipping more than purely luxury claims. For example, a tagline like “Darmowa dostawa w Polsce” (Free shipping in Poland) strongly resonates.

Avoid mistakes such as using English‑only keywords, failing to convert sizes (inches to cm) or not updating shipping info for Poland. Ensure your return policy is clearly presented in Polish and references Poland’s consumer‑rights context (14‑day right of withdrawal, etc).

In short: localise everything—from names and specs to packaging visuals, shipping terms and marketing messaging. Doing so builds trust and avoids alienating Polish buyers.

Understanding EmpikPlace’s Commission and Fee Structure

When selling on EmpikPlace one of the first things to check is the commission and settlement model. According to Empik’s public information, sellers pay commission only on completed orders; there are no activation fees or monthly account fees in many cases.
Commission rates vary by category and are detailed in a commission grid within the seller dashboard. For example, one partner source cites typical rates between 3‑14% depending on category.

Commission is charged on gross order amount (product price + shipping) plus VAT and is deducted automatically in the next settlement period.

Payment transfers to sellers typically run twice a month (once mid‑month, once end of month) with adjustments for commission and returns. Having a Polish bank account helps avoid foreign‑transfer fees.

To build a pricing strategy, sellers should incorporate the formula:

Net profit = (Sale price) – (Cost of goods) – (Shipping cost) – (Commission %)

For example, if product sells at 100 zł, cost of goods is 60 zł, shipping cost is 10 zł, and commission is 10%, then net profit = 100 – 60 – 10 – 10 = 20 zł. By doing this calculation for each SKU, sellers ensure profitability after marketplace fees.

In short: there is clear fee transparency, and aligning price strategy with commission plus shipping cost ensures margins are protected.

Commission Rates and Category Variations

Commission rates differ by category: books may have one rate (for example ≤ 5 %), electronics may have higher rate (~10‑15 %), and promotional categories may have special reduced rates (even down to 0.1% for some items).

When launching a new SKU, check the specific rate via Seller Dashboard → Settings → Platform → Commission grid. Adjust pricing accordingly: for electronics aim for higher margin or lower shipping cost; for low‑margin items like books, volume and low cost of fulfilment matter more.

Seasonal variations may apply: during large platform‑wide campaigns the commission rate may be reduced or subsidies offered. Keep track of these opportunities and incorporate them into your planning.

Payment Processing and Settlement Timeline

EmpikPlace settlements are processed roughly twice per month. The “balance payable” portion is transferred to the seller’s bank account (in Polish złoty) once the order status is “received” and any returns or cancellations are accounted for. Sellers can change transfer frequency (e.g., monthly) to reduce fees if using international bank accounts.

In the dashboard one sees three balances: pending (orders placed but not yet confirmed delivered), payable (orders delivered and eligible) and paid (already transferred). Planning for cash‑flow is critical: new sellers should build inventory and shipping buffer because revenue may lag by the settlement cycle. A best‑practice is to have 2‑3 weeks of buffer stock and shipping cost coverage.

Monitoring the settlement system and commission deduction helps avoid surprises. Invoices may be issued if returns exceed order values in a billing cycle. Keeping high service levels, low return rates and accurate listings keeps settlement straightforward.

Integrating Your Business with EmpikPlace

Efficient integration between your systems and EmpikPlace can dramatically reduce manual workload and minimise errors. Integration falls into three tiers: entry level (third‑party tools), intermediate (API overview) and advanced (custom implementation).

API Integration Methods for EmpikPlace

If your business sells many SKUs, automating inventory updates, price changes, order retrieval and shipment status is vital. Integration options include CSV/XML feed uploads, REST API endpoints or third‑party middleware. With automation, you minimise errors like out‑of‑stock sales, wrong price uploads or missed shipments. For smaller sellers, a third‑party tool may suffice; for larger sellers, custom API integration yields better scalability.

EmpikPlace API Documentation and Technical Integration Details

EmpikPlace offers a REST API with authentication tokens, JSON/XML format, rate‑limits and endpoint tracking (for example: product creation, stock update, order retrieval). Example code snippet (pseudo‑code):

POST /api/v1/products
Headers: Authorization: Bearer <token>
Body: { "ean": "1234567890123", "title": "Opaska sportowa XYZ", "price": 299.00, "currency": "PLN", "shippingClass": "STANDARD" }

Handling batch updates greatly reduces errors: one client reduced feed‑errors by 95% after switching from manual listing to automated feed. Troubleshooting common issues: invalid EAN, missing logistic class, duplicate SKU, unlocalised language. Using the API ensures the listing remains synchronised with your inventory and orders.

Leveraging Priceva for Competitive EmpikPlace Intelligence

On a crowded marketplace such as EmpikPlace, pricing strategy must balance competitiveness and profitability. The platform’s internal metrics, category commission variations and loyal customer segments (like Empik Premium) mean that simply undercutting price may kill margin. Here the tool Priceva becomes valuable: it monitors competitor pricing on EmpikPlace, tracks how often you win the “Buy Box” position (top seller row) and factors in commission structure and promotional dynamics.

Using Priceva, a seller discovered competitors underpricing in a category that had a 15% commission. By establishing a slightly higher price but better service (free shipping from Poland, faster fulfilment), the seller attracted premium customers and improved margin while still winning the sale. Real‑time alerts let the seller respond quickly when competitor prices shifted during events like Black Friday. The combination of marketplace infrastructure (EmpikPlace) and competitive intelligence (Priceva) gives sellers an edge.

In practice: set up Priceva to scan category pricing every 60 minutes, identify products where your price is within top 3 yet margin > 20%, schedule repricing rules accordingly. This integration enables smarter pricing and product performance on EmpikPlace.

Third‑party Solutions for Sellers on Empik

For many sellers especially with limited technical resources, using multichannel or marketplace integration platforms offers quick entry. Examples for EmpikPlace include ChannelEngine (enterprise level, full API coverage), BaseLinker (Poland‑focused, SMB friendly) and Sellermania (European marketplace specialty). Each offers product feed management, order synchronisation, shipping label integration, and centralised dashboard.

Comparison:
  • ChannelEngine: high cost, steep learning curve, best for 1,000+ SKUs and multiple marketplaces
  • BaseLinker: lower cost, simpler setup, good for 100–500 SKUs in Poland only
  • Sellermania: mid‑range cost, good cross‑border support

Choosing the right tool depends on your SKU count, integration complexity and growth plan. The ROI often comes from reduced manual hours, fewer errors and faster scaling. For example, a seller moved from manual stock upload to BaseLinker and reduced stock‑error rate by 70% in six months.

Marketing and Promotion Strategies for EmpikPlace Success

Marketplace reach alone is not enough: visibility and promotion matter. EmpikPlace offers internal advertising and promotional tools via Empik Ads and campaign placement. These tools allow sellers to boost visibility, target high‑value segments and amplify sales during key seasonal events.

Internal Advertising Options on EmpikPlace

EmpikPlace’s advertising formats include sponsored products (appear in search results), featured placements (on category pages) and banner ads. Costs follow CPC (cost‑per‑click) or flat placement models; for example minimum bid in some campaign types is 0.20 zł per click.

Targeting can be filtered by category, customer interest, and even Empik Premium segment. To maximise ROI, focus ad spend on SKUs with highest margin, best conversion rate and least competition. Monitor ROAS (return on ad spend) = revenue ÷ ad cost; aim for ROAS > 400% (i.e., 4 zł revenue for every 1 zł ad cost) as a rule‑of‑thumb.

Empik’s Promotional Calendar

EmpikPlace participates in major shopping events in Poland and internationally. Key dates: Black Friday (late November), Cyber Monday, Christmas seasonal campaign, local Polish holidays like “Dzień Kobiet” (Women’s Day – March 8). In Q4, some sellers report growth of over 200% compared to average monthly volume. Build your promotional plan around inventory build‑up 4‑6 weeks in advance, shipping logistics ready, promotional pricing finalised and ad campaigns scheduled. Use your dashboard to monitor competition and price spikes ahead of events.

Promotional Campaigns and Discount Strategies

Effective campaigns combine urgency (flash sales), bundling (increase average order value) and targeted coupon codes (new‑customer acquisition).

Step‑by‑step:
  1. Select 3‑5 SKUs that convert well and have margin > 20%.
  2. Decide discount level (e.g., 15% off) but ensure profit remains.
  3. Set a time‑limited flash sale (24‑48 hours) during peak traffic.
  4. Promote via internal ads + email + social media.
  5. After campaign ends, analyse ROI: net profit ÷ total cost (discount + ad) and refine for next event.
  6. Polish buyers respond well to “free shipping” offers and countdown timers. Avoid too many overlapping campaigns because platform ranking may penalise frequent heavy discounts.

Fulfillment and Customer Service Excellence

Sellers on EmpikPlace must treat fulfilment and service as strategic elements rather than mere operations. High ratings, low return rates and prompt shipping translate into better visibility, higher Buy Box eligibility and more repeat purchases with Empik Premium members.

Order Management and Fulfillment Options

Orders arrive via the Seller Dashboard or notifications and must be processed within platform‑specified lead time (often 24‑48 hours). Shipping status must be updated promptly. Late processing or not shipping on time negatively affects seller rating and visibility. Use reliable carriers, ensure stock accuracy and update logistic class properly so customers receive accurate shipping times.

Available Shipping Methods and Carriers

In the Polish market the major carriers include InPost (locker network Paczkomat, very popular with Polish consumers), DPD Poland (premium courier) and Polish Post (broad coverage including rural). InPost Paczkomats are cost‑effective for small/medium items and deliver high convenience for buyers. DPD Poland is best for valuable or bulky items due to reliability. Polish Post may cover remote areas but may have higher variability in service. One seller reported a 22% reduction in shipping cost by optimising which carrier to use depending on product size and destination.

Select carriers based on product type: small/light items → InPost; heavier/bulky items → DPD; remote destination → Polish Post or hybrid solution. Compare on‑time delivery rates, damage rates and customer satisfaction reviews.

Return Policies and Customer Expectations

Polish law and EU consumer protection grant customers the right to withdraw from distance sales (14‑day period), expect easy processes and clear communication. Transparent return policies improve buyer confidence and reduce friction. Provide clear instructions in Polish, cover whether return shipping is free, indicate condition of return. Some sellers adopt a “free returns for 30 days” policy for premium items and recoup cost via higher margin. For mass‑market into Poland, balancing free shipping or returns with cost containment is strategic: for example, restricting free return to selected SKUs or value thresholds.

Clear product descriptions reduce return rates. Highlight size charts, material information, condition, colour. By lowering returns you improve seller rating and reduce cost burdens.

Customer Service Requirements and Best Practices

Polish customers expect prompt, polite, clear communication—especially in Polish language. Response time matters. Sellers who maintain high customer‑service ratings (messages answered within 8 hours, issues resolved within 48 hours) are more likely to win top placement on product pages. Use template responses translated into Polish, escalate complex issues, transparently communicate shipment delays or stock issues.

Best practices: send a “thank you” message after dispatch, provide tracking information, follow up after delivery to solicit review. Encourage happy buyers to leave positive ratings. Treat feedback as data: if certain product SKUs get repeated complaints, refine listing or change supplier. Exceptional service often converts one‑time buyers into repeat customers and helps you tap Empik Premium segment.

Analyzing Performance and Scaling Your EmpikPlace Business

Once your account is live and products are listed, scaling sustainably requires data‑driven decisions rather than guesswork. EmpikPlace provides analytics dashboards and settlement reports which show performance metrics (sales volume, conversion rate, traffic, return rate, average order value). Using these metrics you can refine product mix, optimise pricing and identify growth opportunities.

Understanding EmpikPlace Analytics and Reports

In your Seller Dashboard you’ll find sections such as “Orders by Product”, “Conversion Funnel”, “Traffic Sources”, “Return Rate”, “Buy Box Share”. Key metrics to monitor: conversion rate (orders ÷ visits), average order value (AOV), return rate percentage, shipping time average, customer rating score. For example, if conversion rate is 1% while category average is 3%, focus on listing optimisation or promotion. If return rate is 10% vs UK benchmark of ~5%, investigate product description or sizing issues.

Regular weekly reviews, combined with month‑on‑month comparisons and seasonal adjustment, allow sellers to detect trends such as demand spikes, shipping delays or price erosion. Integrate these insights into your quarterly seller strategy.

Strategies for Growing Your EmpikPlace Business

Growth strategies for marketplace sellers often follow phased implementation:
  1. Months 1‑3: Optimise existing listings, stabilise fulfilment, build rating.
  2. Months 4‑6: Expand within high‑performing categories, introduce bundling, launch marketing campaigns.
  3. Months 7‑12: Test adjacent categories, scale product range, invest more in advertising, diversify carriers or fulfilment partners.
  4. Focus on metrics: increase AOV (by bundling or cross‑selling), reduce return rate (by improving descriptions), increase repeat purchase rate (by targeting Empik Premium segment). For example, if AOV is 120 zł and you aim for 150 zł, create bundles that combine two complementary items and promote via sponsored listings. As Polish e‑commerce continues growing at ~15‑20% annually, well‑positioned sellers on EmpikPlace can capture meaningful share.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Even with strong infrastructure and market growth, sellers on EmpikPlace face hurdles. Two major areas are compliance/policies and competition/positioning. Recognising these early and having solutions ready will save time and protect margins.

Navigating EmpikPlace Policies and Restrictions

EmpikPlace enforces marketplace policies: listing correctness, seller performance thresholds (delivery time, return rate, customer ratings), category restrictions (some brands or items may require authorisation) and compliance with consumer law. If a product listing violates rules, the listing may be suspended. To avoid issues: monitor the Seller Dashboard for alerts, respond to messages from the platform, keep shipping and returns policies current, maintain high service levels. If account suspension occurs, there is a reinstatement process (provide documentation, remedy cause, request review) but recovery can take weeks and cause sales downtime. Regular compliance audits help prevent surprises.

Competitive Positioning in a Crowded Marketplace

In broad categories such as books or electronics, competition is fierce on EmpikPlace. Simply matching every other seller on price often leads to margin erosion. Instead differentiate via unique value propositions: exclusive variants, localised bundles, faster shipping, stronger packaging, better reviews. Conduct competitive analysis: identify top sellers by Buy Box share, examine their pricing, shipping terms, rating and review counts. Choose a niche where you can win—this may be fewer SKUs but higher margin. Example: a seller specialising in eco‑friendly home goods from EU manufacturers positioned on sustainability, local shipping and Polish language support and doubled conversion rate in six months. Differentiation in a marketplace isn’t optional—it is essential for long‑term success.

FAQ

What is EmpikPlace and why should I sell there?

EmpikPlace is Poland’s major marketplace operating under the Empik brand, offering wide reach, trusted infrastructure and access to millions of Polish online shoppers. Sellers gain market entry with lower friction than launching independently.

How do I register as a seller on EmpikPlace?

Register by submitting business registration, tax ID, bank details and shipping country; wait for account verification (3‑5 business days); then set up your storefront with Polish‑language profile, shipping and returns settings; after approval, you may list products.

What are the commission fees for selling on EmpikPlace?

There are no activation or monthly fees in many cases; sellers pay only on completed orders. Commission rates vary by category (about 3‑14% typical) and are charged on gross price + shipping + VAT.

How do I create and upload product listings?

Use the Seller Dashboard or feed upload (CSV/XML). Provide required fields (EAN, Polish title/description, category, logistic class, VAT, images), localise content, follow platform rules and update multiple SKUs via bulk upload for efficiency.

What shipping carriers should I use for deliveries in Poland?

Common carriers include InPost (locker network, popular for small/medium items), DPD Poland (premium courier), Polish Post (broad coverage including rural). Match carrier to product size, value and destination for best cost and service.

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