Online arts and crafts marketplace Etsy is facing competition from the world‘s largest retailer. As it goes up against Amazon‘s recently launched ‘Handmade‘, a platform for artisan sellers, Etsy is challenged with making handmade goods more readily accessible for consumers.
And it‘s trying. The Brooklyn-based company recently welcomed same-day delivery in parts of New York City and on an investor call this week, CEO Chad Dickerson cited ambitions to make Etsy “an everyday experience.”
Perhaps that‘s why the vibrant marketplace will come to towns and cities across the UK in December, hosting 11 ‘Etsy Made Local‘ shopping events for three days early next month.
Etsy Made Local will give London shoppers an opportunity to purchase goods from 50 handpicked local makers selling items such as toys, clothing, artisan foods, art and homeware, all in a physical store. Customers will also be able to have items personalised.
Etsy Made Local follows the ‘Etsy House’ pop-up shop in that launched in London last December. It attracted 7,000 visitors over three days and showcased items from over 121 Etsy sellers from across the UK and Europe.
“Shopping locally is a wonderful opportunity for shoppers to support the creative people their very own neighbourhoods,” said Susannah Bradley, Community Programmes Manager. Christmas is often a time when we are focused on finding unique and meaningful gifts for our loved ones, but it is also a great opportunity to support the artists and designers in our local communities.”
