Dive Brief:
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Artisanal craft and vintage marketplace Etsy Inc. is contemplating an initial public offering that could happen as soon as this quarter, sources told Bloomberg.
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Brooklyn, NY-based Etsy, which has a million artisans and other small-business people selling through its marketplace in 200 countries, expanded into wholesale last year, and has been profitable since 2009.
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The company is looking to raise $300 million.
Dive Insight:
Etsy has many fans, among customers and sellers alike. In a way, it's led a unique, tech-driven anti-industrial revolution. And while going public could be good for the company, many of those customers and sellers will be looking to see how much the retailer will change with the move. If it alters its fundamental business practice too much, Etsy runs the risk of no longer being Etsy.