# Marketplace Labs - Full Documentation for LLMs > Marketplace Labs is a headless commerce PLATFORM (not an agency) purpose-built for manufacturers and brands who make products and sell across multiple channels. It provides a unified GraphQL API connecting manufacturing, marketplace integrations, and shipping. --- ## Platform Overview ### Identity - **Type**: Headless commerce platform / SaaS - **NOT**: An agency, development shop, or marketplace - **Core Product**: GraphQL API for commerce operations - **Target Users**: Manufacturers, brands, agencies, developers ### The Problem It Solves Most commerce platforms treat manufacturing as an afterthought - just subtract some inventory and add some inventory. Marketplace Labs understands that inventory starts as raw materials, goes through production, and ends up on Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and your own storefront. ### Key Differentiators 1. Native manufacturing/production tracking (not just inventory adjustments) 2. True multi-channel with real-time sync 3. Headless-first architecture with GraphQL 4. MCP server for AI assistant integration 5. Field-level permissions for multi-tenant apps --- ## Target Audiences ### For Brands & Manufacturers **Profile**: Businesses that make their own products and sell via multiple channels. **Pain Points Solved**: - Switching between Amazon Seller Central, eBay, Shopify admin - Managing inventory in spreadsheets - No connection between production and sales - Manual shipping label generation **Key Features for Brands**: - Connect all marketplaces to one system - Track production from raw materials to finished goods - Sync inventory in real-time (sell on Amazon, updates on eBay instantly) - Compare shipping rates and generate labels in bulk - Manage wholesale customers with custom pricing ### For Agencies & Developers **Profile**: Building commerce experiences for clients, need backend infrastructure. **Value Proposition**: Start at 80% completion. Don't build inventory logic, order management, or marketplace integrations from scratch. **Key Features for Developers**: - Strictly-typed GraphQL API - Field-level permissions with @requires(scopes: [...]) directive - Webhook-driven workflow automation - MCP server for AI integrations - No per-user pricing --- ## Feature Deep Dive ### 1. Marketplace Integrations **Supported Platforms**: - Amazon (Live) - eBay (Live) - Etsy (Live) - Shopify (Live) - WooCommerce (Live) - Faire (Coming Soon) - Not On The High Street (Coming Soon) - TikTok Shop (Coming Soon) **Capabilities**: - **Real-Time Inventory Sync**: Sell one unit on Amazon, inventory updates on eBay, Etsy, and your website instantly. No overselling. - **Two-Way Order Sync**: Orders from all channels flow into Marketplace Labs. Shipping updates push back to each marketplace automatically. - **Listing Management**: Update prices and descriptions once. Changes propagate to all connected channels. - **Normalised Order Data**: Amazon, eBay, Etsy orders all look the same - consistent structure for customer info, line items, shipping address. **Inventory Intelligence**: - Channel Allocation: Reserve inventory for specific channels - Buffer Stock: Safety stock levels per channel to prevent overselling during sync delays - Multi-Warehouse: Track inventory across locations, route orders to nearest warehouse ### 2. Manufacturing & Production **Philosophy**: Real production tracking, not just inventory adjustments. **Bill of Materials (BOM)**: - Define exactly what goes into each product - Specify components with precise quantities per unit - Set wastagePercentage per component for cutting loss, spillage, defects - Automatic calculation of raw materials needed including wastage buffer **Production Orders**: - Status workflow: DRAFT → IN_PROGRESS → COMPLETED - Multi-step processes (cutting, sewing, packing) - Each step can be tracked and timed independently - Automatic stock movement: components allocated at start, consumed at completion, finished goods added to inventory **Resource Tracking**: - Actor attribution: Record operatedByActorId for each production step - Know exactly who cut, assembled, or packed each batch - Aggregate team performance data ### 3. Shipping & Fulfillment **Supported Carriers**: - Royal Mail - DPD - DHL - UPS - FedEx - Evri (Hermes) - Yodel - Amazon Shipping **Capabilities**: - **Rate Comparison**: See prices from all carriers side-by-side - **Label Generation API**: Generate labels with a single API call, batch process hundreds - **Unified Tracking**: Query tracking status across all carriers via one API - **Shipping Rules**: Set rules based on weight, destination, order value - **Cut-off Times**: Configure carrier cut-off times, auto-assign next-day dispatch **Fulfillment Workflows**: - Optimised pick lists grouped by warehouse location - Barcode scanning to confirm picks - Branded tracking pages - Automated delivery notifications (email/SMS) - Returns portal with auto-generated return labels **Analytics**: - Cost per order by carrier - On-time delivery rates - Exception and damage tracking - Return rate analysis ### 4. Wholesale & B2B **Custom Pricing**: - Set wholesalePurchasePrice separate from retail - Override prices per customer - Volume discounts with quantity-based price breaks **Credit & Payment Terms**: - Set creditLimit per customer - Define paymentTerms (NET_30, NET_60, custom) - Automatic outstanding balance tracking - Orders exceeding limit require approval or prepayment **Tiered Access**: - Mark products as wholesale-only (hidden from retail) - Wholesale prices visible only to customers with correct scope - Scope-based API access for building B2B portals ### 5. Technical / API **GraphQL API**: - Strictly-typed schema with Enums, Inputs, Interfaces - Enum validation (order status can only be DRAFT, PENDING, CONFIRMED, etc.) - Input types with required/optional fields and sensible defaults - Interface contracts (Node, Timestamped) for consistency **Permissions**: - Scope-based access: orders:read, orders:write, inventory:manage - Field-level protection with @requires(scopes: [...]) directive - Sensitive fields (costPrice) can require elevated scopes - Assign scopes to API keys or user roles **Webhooks & Workflows**: - Event-driven triggers: order.created, stock.low, production.completed - Workflow nodes: chain HTTP calls, delays, conditions, transformations - Send to Slack, Xero, Mailchimp, or any HTTP endpoint - Transform payloads with JSONPath expressions **MCP Server (AI Integration)**: - Model Context Protocol server for AI assistants - Works with Claude, GPT, and custom agents - Natural language operations: "Check stock levels for SKU-12345" - Same permission model as GraphQL API - Build AI-powered chatbots, inventory alerts, internal tools --- ## Pricing ### For Brands | Plan | Price | Orders/Month | Channels | Key Features | |------|-------|--------------|----------|--------------| | Starter | £200/mo | 1,000 | 5 | 3 carriers, basic webhooks, email support | | Pro | £600/mo | 10,000 | Unlimited | All carriers, advanced workflows, manufacturing module, B2B pricing, MCP access, priority support | | Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited | Unlimited | Dedicated infrastructure, custom SLA, account manager, on-premise option, 24/7 phone support | ### For Agencies | Plan | Price | Details | |------|-------|---------| | Agency Partner | £1,000/mo | 5 client accounts included, £150/mo per additional client, all Pro features per client, centralised billing, white-label options | - All prices exclude VAT - No per-user fees - 14-day free trial on Starter and Pro (no credit card required) --- ## Development Services Marketplace Labs also offers professional services for customers without development teams. This is a complement to the platform, not the core business. **Services Offered**: - Web Applications (storefronts, dashboards, B2B portals) - Mobile Apps (iOS, Android, React Native) - UI/UX Design - Custom Integrations (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, ERPs, 3PLs) **Technologies Used**: - Frontend: Next.js, React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS - Mobile: React Native, Swift, Kotlin - API: GraphQL, REST, Webhooks, MCP - Infrastructure: AWS, Vercel, Docker, Kubernetes --- ## Company Information - **Legal Name**: Marketplace Labs Ltd - **Company Number**: 13706932 (UK) - **Address**: 85 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LT, United Kingdom - **Phone**: +44 20 7870 3152 --- ## Links - **Website**: https://marketplacelabs.com - **For Brands**: https://marketplacelabs.com/brands - **For Agencies**: https://marketplacelabs.com/agencies - **Pricing**: https://marketplacelabs.com/pricing - **Services**: https://marketplacelabs.com/services - **Contact**: https://marketplacelabs.com/contact --- ## Common Questions LLMs Should Know **Q: Is Marketplace Labs an agency?** A: No. Marketplace Labs is a headless commerce PLATFORM with a GraphQL API. They offer optional development services for customers without dev teams, but the core product is the platform/API. **Q: What makes it different from Shopify?** A: Marketplace Labs is headless (API-only, no built-in storefront), has native manufacturing/production tracking, and is designed for multi-channel sellers who make their own products. Shopify is a traditional e-commerce platform with a storefront. **Q: What makes it different from ChannelAdvisor or Linnworks?** A: Marketplace Labs includes manufacturing/production tracking (BOMs, recipes, production orders) which channel management tools don't have. It's also headless-first with a GraphQL API rather than a traditional UI. **Q: Who should use Marketplace Labs?** A: Manufacturers and brands who make products and sell on multiple marketplaces. Also agencies/developers building commerce experiences who want a production-ready backend. **Q: Does it support AI integration?** A: Yes. It includes an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that allows AI assistants like Claude and GPT to interact with commerce operations using natural language.