When you think of a marketplace for creatives, Etsy might be the first name that comes to mind. But in New Zealand, a bold local alternative is redefining the game. Rita Edited is more than a marketplace—it’s a celebration of Kiwi craftsmanship, a champion of inclusivity, and a vibrant community for small businesses. By focusing on local creators and cultural heritage, Rita Edited offers a curated and meaningful shopping experience that’s uniquely tied to Aotearoa.
The Vision Behind Rita Edited
The story of Rita Edited started in the bustling maker markets of New Zealand. The founders noticed a recurring challenge: talented small businesses struggled to stand out online and achieve consistent sales. Maintaining their own websites was costly, and platforms like Etsy often felt overwhelming and impersonal.
The founders explained that the inspiration came from their time running maker markets. They noticed that many amazing small businesses struggled to be found online and have consistent sales. "While we aren’t the first marketplace for designers, artists, and makers in NZ, we knew there was a gap for one that was curated and really showcased the sellers and shared their stories," they added.
The result was Rita Edited—a marketplace operating on an apply-to-sell model, where sellers are carefully selected based on product quality, storytelling, and alignment with the platform’s curated vision. Seasonal seller intakes ensure a dynamic and balanced collection, creating a boutique-like experience for buyers.
Celebrating Māori Businesses
One of Rita Edited’s defining features is its commitment to cultural representation and inclusivity. The platform proudly hosts a Pakihi Māori collection, which celebrates indigenous businesses.
Through this dedicated collection, shoppers can explore a range of products produced by Māori owned businesses, from Pakiaka Reo Māori word games to ceramics, textiles, and bilingual stationery. Our goal is to empower shoppers, creating a seamless way to celebrate and support these very special businesses.
Our Pakihi Māori collection fosters deeper connections between creators and consumers while highlighting the platform’s commitment to inclusivity and respect for Indigenous culture
Challenges in Building a Marketplace
Launching a marketplace is no small feat, and Rita Edited faced its share of challenges. Starting during a cost-of-living crisis made it particularly difficult to encourage buyers to shift from retail giants to local businesses.
The founders noted that it has been challenging to encourage people to change their buying habits away from retail giants and online mega sites. Educating consumers about the importance of shopping small and local is an ongoing effort for the team.
Another challenge was navigating the diverse needs of sellers. By working with Marketplace Studio, Rita Edited was able to identify and prioritize the most critical features for their sellers and buyers, such as streamlined onboarding for new sellers, personalized storefronts, and an intuitive communication panel for buyer-seller interactions. These features were essential in creating a seamless experience for both sides of the marketplace, showcasing Marketplace Studio's ability to understand and address the unique needs of creative communities.
A Milestone Worth Celebrating
Despite the hurdles, Rita Edited has achieved significant milestones. The team onboarded 100 sellers pre-launch, a testament to their ability to sell a vision even before the marketplace was fully built. “This was huge validation for us,” the founders share.
The platform has since grown into a thriving community, connecting buyers with high-quality, locally crafted products and fostering a supportive environment for small businesses.
The Role of Marketplace Studio
Rita Edited partnered with Marketplace Studio to bring their vision to life, leaning on the studio’s expertise in building marketplaces for non-technical founders. Marketplace Studio played a crucial role in addressing technical challenges, such as implementing a seamless onboarding process for sellers, integrating payment systems, and ensuring scalability for future growth. From pre-development and design to the technical build, Marketplace Studio guided the team through the complexities of creating a platform, utilizing tools like Sharetribe for rapid development and AWS for hosting solutions.
The founders noted that Marketplace Studio has been excellent in communication and patient throughout the process. If this feedback is not directly from the founders, consider rephrasing to reflect general sentiment without direct attribution. The collaborative process ensured that Rita Edited not only launched successfully but also reflected the founders’ vision and the needs of their community.
Advice for Aspiring Founders
For those considering launching their own marketplace, the team at Rita Edited offers this advice:
Talk to Your Market: Engage directly with both buyers and sellers to ensure the platform meets their needs.
Celebrate Inclusivity: Highlight the unique voices and cultural contributions within your community—it will set your marketplace apart.
Refine Before Launching Big: In hindsight, the team would have waited a few months after launch to resolve early-stage challenges before launching a large-scale PR campaign.
Looking Ahead
Rita Edited isn’t just competing with Etsy—it’s creating something uniquely Kiwi. By focusing on local creators, celebrating Māori culture, and fostering a supportive community, the platform is proving that there’s room for local marketplaces to thrive in a globalized world.
Thanks to its partnership with Marketplace Studio, a dedicated team of sellers, and a passionate community of buyers, Rita Edited has carved out a niche that reflects the creativity and culture of Aotearoa.
Explore the magic of Rita Edited for yourself by visiting ritaedited.co.nz and discover the talent, stories, and craftsmanship that make New Zealand special.
Komen