A Multi-vendor marketplace serves as an intermediary between the vendors who offer goods or services and the buyers who order them. In return for providing the platform and sometimes additional services like marketing and payment processing, the marketplace operator earns a percentage of each transaction, often referred to as a commission.

To put it simply, a multi-vendor marketplace is a digital shopping mall where each shop (vendor) operates independently but adheres to the rules set by the mall owner (marketplace operator).

Let's delve into the stages or process involved in a typical multi-vendor marketplace:

1. Vendor Registration: Vendors sign up for a space on the platform, setting up their shop, adding products, managing inventory, and sometimes handling their own shipping - which varies depending on the specific terms of the marketplace platform.

2. Product Listing: Vendors add their products or services to their unique shop within the marketplace, sometimes subject to approval by the marketplace operator.

3. Customer Purchase: Customers visit the platform, browse the listed products or services, and make a purchase—often from multiple vendors in one transaction.

4. Order Fulfillment: Depending on the marketplace, either vendors or the marketplace operator will fulfill the orders, shipping goods to customers or providing a service.

5. Commission Fees: The marketplace operator takes a predetermined commission or fee from each transaction, with the rest going to the respective vendors.

Famous examples of multi-vendor marketplaces include Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. These platforms amass a vast assortment of products and services from thousands of merchants, providing consumers with a wide choice and competitive pricing.

Amazon, for instance, began as a single-vendor platform selling books and eventually evolved into one of the largest multi-vendor marketplaces in the world. It attracts a global audience and offers almost every product conceivable, from gadgets to gardening tools.

Meanwhile, Etsy offers a completely different niche, catering to those looking for handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies. Each vendor on Etsy maintains distinct shop fronts, with inventory and shipping often managed by the merchants themselves.

In conclusion, understanding the multi-vendor marketplace model throws light on the cooperative and competitive dynamics of contemporary digital retail and provides perspective on the potential for business growth and global reach in the era of e-commerce.