Sears Marketplace is a new service integrated with Sears.com that allows third-party merchants to list their products on the site. According to the company, its current platform expansion is an evolution of a process it established with Internet partners in November 2008. A spokesperson declined to provide details about merchant requirements, revealing only that JC Whitney auto parts was selling on the site.

Sears Marketplace charges merchants a monthly fee of $39.99, and fees are posted on the site. Commission fees range from 7 percent for computers & electronics, to 20 percent for beauty and for jewelry.

A Sears spokesperson wrote in an email, "Sears Holdings continues to be a leader in the online retailer space, constantly evolving the online shopping experience and giving our customers the ability to "shop their way." Sears empowers them with choice in everything from product selection to purchase opportunities. Sears' Shop Your Way combines online and multi-channel capabilities to give customers an unmatched shopping experience. Our online initiatives are designed to help Sears and Kmart shoppers find whatever they want, wherever and whenever they want it."

Walmart.com launched a similar program last month with the Walmart Marketplace, which kicked off with three retailers: CSN Stores, eBags and Pro Team. Walmart stated that the program added nearly one million new items to Walmart.com in categories such as Home, Baby, Apparel, Toys and Sporting Goods / Sports Memorabilia.

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