E-Marketplace State of the Art and Trends: VR-ZOCO—An Architectural Proposal for the Future

Abstract

E-commerce has become uniquely relevant to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as an essential catalyst for their growth and sustainability. SMEs see e-commerce portals as a strategic way to engage in digital business activities without having to implement costly proprietary e-commerce solutions. In addition, partnering with these portals frees them from complex tasks such as positioning, portal maintenance, and adapting the portal to new technologies and trends. This multifaceted advantage positions e-commerce portals as invaluable partners, streamlining operations and allowing SMEs to focus more on their core business competencies. However, e-commerce portals or e-marketplaces are not without their challenges. Today, they face increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact and to empower local commercial businesses, as well as local businesses in the entertainment and culture industry. To address these challenges, there is a pressing need to propose new types of e-marketplaces that support the concept of the 15-minute city and in which virtual and augmented reality play a key role. These marketplaces would not only boost environmental sustainability but also strengthen the connection between local businesses and the community, creating a stronger and more collaborative network that benefits both businesses and consumers.