eBay recently launching ‘Up & Running’, an accelerator program specifically designed to help retailers without an e-commerce presence transition to sell online, pledging up to $100 million in support for small businesses across North America. eBay will give new businesses a free basic eBay store for three months , offering access to over 180 million buyers.
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, brick-and-mortar retailers are closing their physical doors, and data shows that half have only enough cash to survive for 27 days without new money coming in.eBay recently launching 'Up & Running', an accelerator program specifically designed to help retailers without an e-commerce presence transition to sell online, pledging up to $100 million in support for small businesses across North America. eBay will give new businesses a free basic eBay store for three months , offering access to over 180 million buyers.#
"For the last 25 years, eBay has helped launch and grow hundreds of thousands of small businesses, and now we've created Up & Running to accelerate the start-up time frame for retailers opening online stores during these unprecedented times," said Jordan Sweetnam, senior vice president of eBay North America.
With the new online storefront, eBay will waive selling fees for these new businesses, and allow them to sell up to 500 items for free. New eBay sellers will also receive the guidance and resources they need to run their business on eBay, including a suite of exclusive marketing and merchandising tools, customization features to build a brand, discounted shipping supplies and more, according to a company press release.
In the wake of COVID-19, eBay mobilized a retail revival task force to help the 70 per cent of small businesses who do not have any online presence, working quickly to consolidate and adapt the tools and resources these new sellers would need to be successful.
Through Up & Running, eBay will provide educational webinars, individual support, and access to experienced sellers willing to mentor those who are new to eCommerce. In the coming weeks, the company will also highlight small business sellers on eBay.com, and provide new ways for shoppers to support their favourite local businesses while staying at home.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)