Online auction giant eBay is braced for a surge in business registrations this month, as figures confirm a wave of new marketplace entrepreneurs looking to start selling online.
Using official figures, eBay UK has predicted a 30 per cent increase in new business registrations in January 2018 compared to the typical month.
The statistics confirmed yearly trends showing January as the most popular month of the year in which to start a new business, with many Brits becoming restless in their regular employment.
__________________________________________________________________________________
How do I launch an eBay business and become an online seller?
__________________________________________________________________________________
Of new eBay businesses registered in January 2017, the top ten are turning over almost a combined £6m on their eBay channels, averaging £600,000 each in the first year of trading online.
The data also pointed to a mobile-first approach for new marketplace entrepreneurs, with 75,000 businesses registered via eBay’s mobile app alone.
The ten most popular business ventures for new eBay entrepreneurs
| Products | |
| 1 | Rear light assemblies |
| 2 | Wall decals and stickers |
| 3 | Headlight assemblies |
| 4 | Wing mirrors and accessories |
| 5 | Doors and door parts |
| 6 | CDs |
| 7 | Seat covers and cushions |
| 8 | DVDs and Blu-rays |
| 9 | Window motors, winders and parts |
| 10 | Wings and quarter panels |
The rankings were dominated by the car parts and accessories industry, with many drivers seeking to repair their cars than buy a new vehicle. Britain’s new car market also dipped in 2018.
Physical media also continued to represent viable business opportunities, reflecting research showing a majority of UK adults now prefer books, DVDs and vinyl to digital downloads.
Commenting on the findings, eBay UK’s vice president, Rob Hattrell, said 2017 had been a “fantastic” year for eBay sellers, with Australia, France and the US emerging as leading export markets.
He added: “2018 looks set to be even better with start-ups launching in droves this January – providing even more choice for savvy shoppers looking to find a unique product online.”
“We are optimistic about the future for online retail, which is increasingly a story of changing customer demands and the nimble businesses that are able to adapt at pace.”
Find out more about eBay’s dedicated online store for physical media
Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest from Business Advice.
