What is C2C commerce?

In the world of e-commerce, it is common to hear the terms B2C and B2B, which refer to transactions between businesses and consumers and between two businesses. But another model has been carving out an increasingly larger space, and it corresponds to a distinct and equally opportunity-filled form of business. This is C2C: consumer to consumer. In this type of commerce, private individuals buy and sell items or services among themselves, without using intermediaries or a store in the conventional sense.

In this article, we will explore this concept and some of the key information needed to understand its role in modern e-commerce.

Definition

This is a very simple definition: it is a business established directly between consumers, through the internet and, typically, carried out by parcel delivery. With the growth of online commerce in recent decades, C2C has become increasingly important.

One of the most characteristic product types in C2C is, naturally, second-hand items, including clothing, technology, and others. Self-made products, such as home decor items or household goods, are also frequently sold online. But these are only examples in a sea as vast and diverse as that of any other form of e-commerce.

Some statistics

Some data help illustrate the increasingly important role of C2C:

• In 2024, the global C2C market reached a value of around 2.5 trillion euros. It is expected to continue growing sharply until at least 2030.
• Specifically in Portugal, the number of people using this form of commerce has grown in recent decades, from 1% in 2005 to almost 13% last year.
• Globally, it is estimated that 65% of people who shop online have already done so on a C2C marketplace at some point.

Models

The specific form that C2C takes can vary:

Auction

In this format, potential buyers place bids, and the highest one wins. One of the advantages of this process for the seller is that it can generate excitement and drive up prices.

Classified ads

Classified ad platforms can be general or more specialized. Interested buyers contact sellers directly to make the purchase.

Marketplaces

These spaces work in a way similar to a physical market where different sellers can display their products. This is an approach that is quite similar to a conventional online store. The main difference compared with classified ad websites is that it offers a more engaging environment and performs broader functions; for example, marketplaces often provide a way to process payment.

The advantages of C2C

These are some of the reasons people use C2C, whether as buyers or sellers:

• Prices: Buying from a private seller – and even more so second-hand, if that is the case – means the possibility of finding prices that might be hard to find in a store.
• Specialized markets: The internet is full of niches for collectors and unique and rare opportunities.
• Community: Spaces specialized in a type of item tend to promote a sense of community among the people who visit them, which can also help newcomers.
• Sustainability: Transactions between consumers promote the circular economy, allowing used items to circulate and be reused. This reduces waste and encourages more responsible consumption habits.
• Source of income: Starting a C2C business is relatively easy, although success is never, of course, guaranteed. The investments and risks, compared with starting a physical retail store, or even a digital one, are much lower.

InPost: the best shipping method for C2C commerce

For sellers and buyers in e-commerce, one of the essential aspects to think about is shipping parcels. With digital commerce, logistics are more in the spotlight than ever: in terms of price, speed, reliability, and environmental responsibility.

InPost offers a shipping service specially designed for e-commerce, based on the use of a vast network of pickup points – already more than 12,000 on the Iberian Peninsula and more than 82,000 across Europe. Our Pack Points and Lockers represent an extremely convenient and easy way to send and receive parcels for everyone involved, standing out for their greater sustainability and exceptional value for money.

Visit our website to find out more about the advantages of the InPost shipping service for your purchases and sales.