eBay predicts £1bn of sales from UK retailers and major sellers

Last year’s changes to its fee structure and efforts to attract established retailers to the site mean that British retailers and other big sellers could account for £1bn of sales on ebay.co.uk over the next five years, the company says.

Angus McCarey, eBay UK’s head of business development, has told Retail Week that the company’s concerted effort in 2008 to attract retailers and other large sellers, coupled with changes to its fee structure, could lead to these kind of businesses generating £1bn in sales in the next five years:

McCarey said that the business stream has the potential to hit the £1bn mark in the next five years. He said the downturn has increased retailers’ surplus stock, making eBay a more appealing sales channel.

Argos and Shop Direct Group are among those already to have launched branded clearance sites on eBay. McCarey said sales from such ventures have begun to dispel the stigma formerly attached to selling on the site.