Jaipur | Charu Bhatia | Data has long been called the “new oil,” but in 2026, the metaphor is becoming literal in business strategy. Across industries, companies are no longer collecting information solely for internal use, they are packaging, pricing and selling it through emerging data marketplaces. This shift is transforming data from a support function into a standalone revenue stream.
A data marketplace is a platform where organisations can securely share, buy or sell datasets. These exchanges may include anonymised consumer behaviour insights, supply chain trends, geospatial information, financial analytics or industry benchmarks. For companies sitting on vast pools of information, the opportunity is clear: monetise what was once considered a byproduct of operations.
The growth of cloud computing, privacy-enhancing technologies and AI analytics has accelerated this trend. Businesses now have the tools to anonymise and structure data in ways that protect user privacy while still delivering commercial value. As a result, data sharing is becoming safer and more scalable than ever before.
Retail is one of the sectors leading the charge. E-commerce platforms and large retailers are increasingly selling aggregated shopping insights to brands and advertisers. These datasets help companies understand purchasing behaviour, demand patterns and regional trends without exposing individual customer identities. Retail media networks, already booming as advertising channels, are closely linked to this evolution.
Financial services are also embracing the model. Banks and fintech firms are using anonymised transaction data to generate industry insights for investors, insurers and businesses. Similarly, logistics companies are monetising shipping and supply chain data to help organisations optimise routes and forecast demand. For many organisations, data monetisation is emerging as a high-margin revenue stream. Unlike physical products, data can be reused and resold with minimal incremental cost once proper governance systems are in place. This makes it particularly attractive in an era when companies are searching for new profit sources beyond core operations.
However, the rise of data marketplaces also brings challenges. Privacy regulations such as GDPR and India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act are forcing companies to build stronger governance frameworks. Trust is becoming a competitive advantage, and businesses must prove that data is collected, anonymised and shared responsibly.
Looking ahead, the data economy is expected to expand rapidly as AI adoption increases demand for high-quality datasets. Companies that treat data as a strategic asset, rather than just an operational tool, are likely to gain a significant edge. In the coming years, selling products and services may no longer be enough. Selling insights could become just as important.
