EBay to launch warehousing and transport companies subsequent 12 months

(Reuters) – EBay Inc (EBAY.O) stated on Wednesday it might launch a warehousing and transport service for retailers promoting by way of its website beginning subsequent 12 months, a brand new technique that’s anticipated to draw extra sellers to the e-commerce platform.

This system is at the moment in trial in the USA and Germany and is much like Amazon.com Inc’s (AMZN.O) “Achievement By Amazon” service, or FBA, which permits retailers to hire house in warehouses worldwide to allow them to retailer stock nearer to prospects.

It’s poised to assist eBay ship merchandise sooner, more and more a key consideration of consumers after they browse for objects on-line. EBay sellers ship about 1.5 million packages day by day in the USA.

EBay, primarily based in San Jose, California, held the mantle of being the highest on-line vacation spot for sellers earlier than Amazon’s market gained traction over a decade in the past with the assistance of FBA. That gave the Seattle firm way more management over the transport course of.

Whereas EBay lengthy resisted rising its logistics footprint, Amazon raised the stakes additional this April, asserting it might halve supply occasions to in the future by way of its loyalty membership Prime, a service that prices U.S. members $119 per 12 months. On the similar time, improved logistics networks and excessive warehouse capability made a supply service extra possible for eBay.

Devin Wenig, eBay’s chief govt, stated the corporate was focusing on free two-day transport below this system.

“What this isn’t about is us attempting to win a quick transport warfare,” he stated in a phone interview. “Our 182 million customers store on eBay due to the worth and uniqueness of our stock. We’re not the one-hour supply guys. We’re by no means going to be that, however client expectations are altering.”

Some 40% to 50% of things on eBay will qualify, whereas the corporate can supply its assured three-day supply program introduced in 2017 for the rest, Wenig stated.

Wenig didn’t focus on how a lot eBay would spend on the service, often known as “Managed Supply,” however he stated it may be a worthwhile enterprise by itself proper.

Sellers in this system will probably be charged a charge for warehousing and for transport as soon as an merchandise is offered. The service will allow them to fulfill orders positioned on eBay or on different on-line platforms, the corporate stated.