Naxis started off as an alternative to the big classical labels. They wanted to expand what was being recorded beyond what the major labels were doing at the time. They focused on low price recordings with what was considered "second tier" players, conductors and orchestras. A lot of these are now mainstays with Naxos as they are just as good as the marquee names on the big labels IMO. Naxos is now one of the biggest classical music labels and distributors in the world and has commissioned new works and has premiered a lot of stuff that has newly surfaced out of archives and such. There Marco Polo label focuses on mostly Chinese Classical Music but has delved into Japanese, Korean and Middle Eastern stuff as well. Through their distribution deal with CPO they have brought to light a lot of the minor 19th Century composers and salon music (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salon_) of the Majors.
Through there 4 CD mystery box I was introduced to so much classical music I would not have heard without it. The mystery box program was one where you would receive 4 CD's each month of Naxos choosing based on your personal profile for the price of three recordings. You then had the option to return up to six recordings a year and receive different CD's. I really wish they would revive this program with a digital component but they seem to be focusing on their streaming offerings these days. I would much rather own the stuff.