eBay continues move from auction to retail

Stan Beer
Monday, 28 February 2011 11:41

Your IT - Home IT

eBay is no longer primarily an auction site but predominantly a retail outlet. This was the message delivered by the boss of the product division of eBay in Australia.

Speaking to a media audience at the Kickstart conference on the Gold Coast in Queensland today, Lisa Wong, eBay's head of product for Australia, stressed the trend of the online auction site moving away from its roots.

"eBay is no longer a flea market for used products but an online shopping mall," said Ms Wong.

"Much less auction than we used to be - over half of the Australian site is now devoted to retail."

According to Ms Wong, fashion is one the key areas pulling eBay away from its auction business and toward retail.

"78% of the clothes sold on eBay are now new clothes," said Ms Wong.

Globally, a lot of the big brands, such as Calvin Kline and Tommy Hilfiger are investing in promoting their products for sale on eBay said Ms Wong

"Retailers now using eBay as online channel," said Ms Wong.

Australia is also following the global trend to online retail, with retailers such as ABC Shop having made the move to having an eBay presence, Ms Wong said.

Ms Wong concluded with a parting message for Australia's most vocal defender of the bricks and mortar retail model.

"Even Harvey Norman, if 'he' really wants to could sell on eBay. It's good way to close off end of line products for instance," said Ms Wong.