eBay has forecast stronger-than-expected sales after its push into luxury fashion, collectibles and refurbished goods helped second-quarter revenue jump 15 per cent.
The online marketplace expects third-quarter revenue of between £2.28bn and £2.32bn, ahead of analysts’ forecast of £2.21bn.
Second-quarter revenue climbed 15 per cent to £2.33bn, while gross merchandise volume (the total value of goods sold through the platform) rose 15 per cent to £16.64bn.
The performance was driven by eBay’s focus categories, which include collectibles, motors, fashion and refurbished products. Sales across those categories grew 26 per cent on a currency-neutral basis and accounted for more than 40 per cent of total marketplace sales for the first time.
Chief executive Jamie Lannone said eBay’s focus categories, consumer-to-consumer business and recommerce operations each grew by around 20 per cent and collectively represented more than 70 per cent of gross merchandise volume.
UK seller growth hits multi-year high
eBay said the number of active UK consumer sellers had reached its highest level since 2023, while consumer-to-consumer sales recorded their strongest growth in many years outside the pandemic.
The marketplace is also expanding its UK delivery offer. Its international shipping service launches this month, allowing eligible sellers to send parcels to a domestic hub before eBay manages customs, returns and overseas delivery.
The service will give participating UK sellers access to shoppers across more than 190 countries. Meanwhile, most domestic consumer-to-consumer transactions now go through eBay’s managed shipping programme, supported by nearly 50,000 Royal Mail and InPost collection points.
Depop deal boosts growth ambitions
The results are eBay’s first since completing its £1.04bn acquisition of fashion resale platform Depop, which strengthens its position among younger shoppers and in the growing second-hand market.
Depop is expected to contribute around 2.5 percentage points to third-quarter marketplace sales growth and 1.5 percentage points to revenue growth.
Including the acquisition, eBay now expects full-year revenue to increase between 11 per cent and 12 per cent on a currency-neutral basis, up from its previous forecast of between seven per cent and 7.5 per cent.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
