Dive Brief:

• E-marketplace Etsy has announced a deal to buy a small French site that sells artisanal foods, wine, and handmade items, essentially the "French Etsy."

• Etsy itself has attracted French buyers and sellers alike, but Paris-based A Little Market (its name is in English) operates just in France with about 100,000 sellers. A Little Market will continue to operate independently, although Etsy will bring it technology and design support.

• The acquisition is Etsy’s sixth and its largest, valued about $100 million and purchased with a mix of cash and stock.  

Dive Insight:

Etsy, which has turned a profit since 2009, is quietly growing its artisanal empire. The site has continued on its path with acquisitions that fit well with its handmade, can’t-find-it-anywhere-else approach to e-commerce. Its purchase of French marketplace A Little Market is no different.