The Competition and Markets Authority has formally launched a phase one investigation into eBay’s proposed acquisition of Depop.
The UK competition regulator confirmed today (8 June) that the merger notice submitted by eBay and Depop meets the requirements of the Enterprise Act 2002, allowing the review process to begin.
The CMA said the initial review period will begin on 9 June, with a deadline of 6 August 2026 to decide whether the transaction should be extended for a more detailed phase two investigation.
It marks the start of the CMA’s formal assessment of whether the deal could raise competition concerns in the UK market, particularly in the second-hand industry.
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The regulator first invited comments on the transaction between 23 April and 8 May before entering the pre-notification stage.
The industry body said it will seek to complete its phase one review as quickly as possible, although statutory deadlines can be extended in certain circumstances.
The news follows in the wake of eBay’s anticipated acquisition of fashion resale platform Depop, from Etsy for $1.2bn (£890m) in cash, first announced in February this year.
Speaking at the time, eBay CEO Jamie lannone said the acquisition presents an opportunity to deepen the company’s relationship with younger shoppers.
“Depop has built a trusted, social-forward marketplace with strong momentum in the pre-loved fashion category,” he said. “We are confident that as part of eBay, Depop will be even more well-positioned for long-term growth, benefiting from our scale, complementary offerings and operational capabilities.”
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