Do you prefer customers who continue to return rather than just disappearing after a single transaction?
To do that, you must gain their trust because in today’s digital environment, trust is everything. When individuals know their personal information is secure, they are more inclined to trust a company.
In today’s world, people trust many online wholesale platforms like Faire and thokmandee.
According to a report by Eurostat, 54% of users declined to have their data used for advertisements and 35% verified whether a website was safe before divulging any information. In Finland and the Netherlands, roughly 93% of users regularly manage who has access to their data.
Let’s understand how these leading 5 B2B wholesale platforms, such as Faire, thokmandee, Ankor Store, CreOate, and Qogita use GDPR to secure customer data and make long-term relationships with customers.
What is GDPR?
GDPR is short term for General Data Protection Regulation.
It is a data protection regulation brought by the European Union (EU) in May 2018 to secure the way personal data is collected, stored, and used.
In other words, GDPR helps B2B wholesale platforms to have greater control over their personal data. It also holds companies more accountable and open with how they deal with customer data.
For instance:
- Companies are required to seek explicit consent before using an individual’s data.
- Individuals have the right to view, modify, or erase their data at any time.
- Companies that manipulate or leak data can receive heavy penalties.
- GDPR helps in the development of trust between companies and customers because personal data is safe and private.
Why GDPR Matters for B2B Wholesale Platforms
When users are confident that their information is secure, they want to be your loyal customer, conduct transactions online, and refer others to the site. In short, GDPR is not just a regulatory requirement. It’s a mechanism by which B2B wholesale platforms can create long-term trust and credibility.
GDPR is not only for B2C, but it also applies to B2B
Many businesses still believe the myth that GDPR only applies to consumer brands. The GDPR applies to any organization or business that collects or uses personal data of people in the EU, including B2B companies.
In B2B marketing and sales, personal data often includes names, work emails, phone numbers, and job titles of potential clients.
For example, if your wholesale ordering platform stores customer contacts in a CRM or sends emails to business leads in Europe, it is processing personal data under GDPR.
Even if your clients are companies, the people behind them, such as marketers, CEOs, or suppliers, have the same privacy rights as consumers. That means every wholesale ecommerce platform must have clear consent rules, secure data storage, and transparent privacy policies.
GDPR Helps You Earn Trust and Avoid Risks
Following GDPR is not just about avoiding penalties, but it’s also about earning trust. When customers see that a wholesale platform values their privacy, they feel more comfortable sharing information and doing business again. This is how GDPR builds long-term customer relationships.
The legal side also matters. EU regulators have issued billions of euros in GDPR fines since 2018. For example, Meta and Amazon both faced heavy penalties for mishandling data. While these are big names, even smaller wholesale B2B platforms can face investigations or reputational harm if they ignore GDPR.
Key GDPR Features That Help Build Customer Relationships
B2B platforms that use GDPR don’t just follow rules, but they also use certain features to build trust. Here are the most important ones:
Consent Management & Preference Controls
- GDPR says consent must be clear, informed, and freely given. You can’t hide it or mix it with other terms.
- Wholesale platforms allow users to choose how their data is used (for marketing, analytics, etc.) and allow them to take back consent anytime easily.
- Keeping a clear audit trail, like when and how consent was given or withdrawn, is important. That proves respect for user choice.
Rights of Individuals, such as Access, Erasure, and Portability
- Under GDPR, users can ask to see their data (right of access) or ask to delete it (right to erasure).
- Users can also ask for their data in a clear format so they can move it to another service.
- The best ecommerce platforms for wholesale make these rights easy to use show customers, “you’re in control,” not the company.
Data Minimization & Transparency
- GDPR’s “data minimization” rule means collecting only the data you really need to reduce risk and build customer trust.
- Be transparent and explain what you collect, why you collect it, where it is stored, and who sees it.
- If you design systems from the start with privacy in mind (“privacy by design”), users feel safer.
Technical & Organizational Safeguards
- Use strong security (encryption, access controls) to protect data. If there’s a breach, GDPR demands notifying users quickly (within 72 hours).
- Keep internal records of processing activities, audits, and decisions. That shows you follow the rules.
- In higher-risk cases, wholesale ecommerce platforms must run Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) to check possible harms and plan solutions.
Top 5 B2B Platforms Using GDPR to Build Long-Term Customer Relationships
Following B2B platforms use GDPR rules not only to follow the law but also to make customers trust them more. If you choose a platform like these, customers feel safer, and they keep coming back.
Customer loyalty in an advanced and diverse world is rooted in data protection. Those B2B platforms that adhere to GDPR not only comply with laws but also gain the trust of buyers and sellers in the long run.
Let’s understand how these top 5 platforms leverage GDPR to create stronger and safer business relationships within the EU.
Faire
Faire encrypts buyer and supplier information and helps users manage what data they publish. This makes sure that all business communication remains transparent and secure.
Pros:
- Advanced privacy features
- Visible data settings
- Well-trusted by numerous EU retailers
Cons:
- GDPR verification processes are time-consuming for some users during registration.
thokmandee
thokmandee implements GDPR guidelines by respecting customer data privacy and utilizing it for business only. Vendors and buyers can handle their own data with ease via account settings.
Pros:
- GDPR integrated into system design, not an afterthought
- Transparent data tools enabling vendors to access or delete their data at any time
- No data reselling policy enforced, protecting user data from third parties
- Easy-to-use privacy dashboard and explicit consent options
- Educates small retailers about GDPR through guidelines and platform hints
- Creates a trust-first ecosystem where buyers and sellers meet securely
Cons:
- Some smaller vendors might require instructions from our team on how to comprehend all GDPR features.
Ankor Store
Ankor Store asks for explicit user consent prior to collecting or sharing information. They provide full control to retailers regarding what is made visible.
Pros:
- Clear data handling
- Advanced EU compliance
- Easy to manage privacy settings
Cons:
- Restricted flexibility for data-driven marketing campaigns due to some GDPR regulation.
Creoate
CreOate employs GDPR-compliant platforms to secure brand and retailer information. Communications and transactions are conducted via secure and authentic channels.
Pros:
- Data security
- Easy-to-use dashboard
- Secure business growth environment
Cons:
- New account approval can be delayed by the verification process
Qogita
Qogita implements GDPR by encrypting transactions and notifying users of their rights to the data. It provides easy options to edit or erase stored data.
Pros:
- Outstanding security measures
- Encourages user sensitization
- Good customer support for privacy matters
Cons:
- Some users have complained of slow access when additional layers of security are in force.
Conclusion
The best B2B wholesale platforms that use GDPR show that privacy and trust go hand in hand. By following GDPR rules, from consent management to safe data storage, companies protect both their reputation and customer loyalty.
In this changing world, trust is the strongest marketing tool. So, choose a GDPR-friendly B2B wholesale platform that values transparency and data protection. Build long-term customer relationships through respect, responsibility, and clear communication.
Start protecting data and building trust today.
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