Europe 2015

SELLER ADVISORY

FORUM

West Midlands, UKSANJAY AGGARWAL

Spice Kitchen is an online artisan food business founded by Sanjay and run together with his mother and father. Born out of Sanjay’s mother’s passion for creating delicious Indian spices, the company has grown into a full-time food business servicing over 2,000 customers. Through diversification – experimenting with corporate gifting, wedding favours, supper clubs as well as different blends of spices – Spice Kitchen has increased its customer base and ensured a future of continued growth and success.

Spice Kitchen

“ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT OUR BUSINESS HAS HAD ARE A DIRECT RESULT OF SELLING ON EBAY”

91% OF BRITISH COMMERCIAL SELLERS ON EBAY EXPORT, COMPARED TO 11% OF ALL BRITISH SMEs

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All SMEs eBay

Tübingen, GermanyANDREA GÖNNER

Wife and husband Andrea and Hans Gönner owned a textile company, which manufactured and sold ladies’ clothing. When the company unfortunately went out of business, the couple turned that misfortune into an opportunity by building up a new business of selling the high-quality wool they once used for ladies’ garments on eBay. What started as a means to liquidate their failed business, evolved into an extremely successful venture. Their online success – through leveraging multiple online platforms, different marketing strategies and expanding internationally – has allowed them to employ 40 people and open a shop for local customers.

Garnwelt

“SELLING ON EBAY SAVED OUR FAILING BUSINESS AND BUILT AN EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL ONE”

BETWEEN 2010 AND 2014 EU CROSS-BORDER TRADE GREW BY 61% OVER THE EBAY MARKETPLACE, COMPARED TO 15% FOR TRADITIONAL COMMERCETraditional

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Upper Normandy, FranceSAHAR EMAMI

In 2008, due to the economic downturn, Sahar was let go from her position as product manager for a fashion company. While searching for a new job, Sahar decided to keep herself busy by helping her father with his wholesale eyewear business. She realised that adding an online business-to-consumer (B2C) component to her father’s wholesaling business could be a successful venture. Today, the B2C online component of Eye World Boutique makes up about 80% of total turnover and 94% of its merchandise is exported – pleasing customers as far away as Japan, Hong Kong, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Eye World Boutique

“ADDING ONLINE SALES TO OUR BUSINESS HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLY REWARDING AND FULFILLING EXPERIENCE THAT’S HELPED US GROW AND EXPAND”

OVER 130,000 SMALL ONLINE BUSINESSES LAUNCHED ON EBAY IN EUROPE BETWEEN 2011 AND 2014, DESPITE TOUGH TRADING CIRCUMSTANCES ACROSS THE CONTINENT, GENERATING SALES OF NEARLY €18.5BN

130,000+ €18.5bnNEW EBAY SMBs SALES REVENUE

since 2011 increase since 2011

Comunidad Valenciana, SpainFRANK BURGUERA

In 2007, Frank opened his own retail store selling parts and accessories for motorcycles and automobiles. He noticed he had expensive products that didn’t work for local customers and so turned to eBay. Initially, eBay was simply a channel to get rid of extra inventory, but in less than a year it became a channel for expanding his physical business allowing him to add one employee and sell to international markets. Today he exports about 25% of his merchandise to countries all over Europe and the world, including the United States, Saudi Arabia and Mexico.

California Motorcycles

“SELLING ON EBAY HAS HELPED EXPAND OUR PHYSICAL BUSINESS. IT’S LIKE HAVING A VIRTUAL SHOP IN EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD”

INTRA-EU EXPORTS FOR SMALL ONLINE BUSINESSES ON EBAY IN EUROPE GREW BY 61% BETWEEN 2010 AND 2014, OUTPACING TRADITIONAL TRADE GROWTH FOUR TIMES100

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eBay

SIX KEY STEPS TO REALISING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF A DIGITAL EUROPE:

Our research demonstrates the real world behaviour of technology-enabled enterprises, and points to tangible opportunities within the reach of those looking to harness the economic and social benefits of an inclusive European marketplace. However, ensuring widespread access to these opportunities requires political willpower and action to address certain challenges. The European Commission has shown that the willpower is there through its Digital Single Market Strategy. We hope our report will be a call for action.

eBay is committed to providing small businesses with the means and opportunities to grow their operations and create wealth. If politicians adopt these six policy initiatives there is a real potential to drive even greater economic growth and unleash cross border commerce. As a champion of SMEs eBay will continue to push for the regulatory reform and policy support that would contribute to a stronger and fairer Digital Single Market that will go a long way to securing a more prosperous future for the whole of Europe.

EFFICIENT DELIVERY MARKETThrough interoperability,

transparency, cooperation and competition.

FRAMEWORKConditions for platforms

and their users

NO RESTRICTIONSNo more online sales

restrictions

TRUSTED E-TRADERSCustoms pilot on

“Trusted eTraders”

COHESION POLICY Funded co-operatives for

online commerce

TRADE PROMOTION For micro-firms

Export Statistics

SELLER ADVISORY FORUM

Europe, North America & AustraliaCONTINENTS

3EXPORTS TO

inc. United States, France, Australia & VietnamCOUNTRIES

34EXPORTS TO

inc. to Brazil,

Canada, Japan &

New Zealand96%

EXPORTS

COUNTRIES56

EXPORTS TOinc. Denmark, Puerto Rico, Singapore & Israel

CONTINENTS5

EXPORTS TO Asia, Australia, North America, South America & Europe

inc. Russia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia & Argentina

COUNTRIES66

EXPORTS TO

COUNTRIES97

EXPORTS TOinc. Greece, China, Montenegro & Iceland

99%EXPORTS

inc. to Malaysia, Chile, Canada & United Kingdom

FRANK BURGUERA California Motorcycles

TERESA PAISCorkSpirit

SAHAR EMAMI Eye World Boutique

SANJAY AGGARWAL Spice Kitchen

ANDREA GÖNNER Garnwelt

TIAGO LAURENÇOEuropean Mint

ANDRIUS KOLESNIKAS Sports Clothing

MARIO CALABRESEFootloover

Centro, PortugalTERESA PAIS

Started by Teresa Pais in 2010, CorkSpirit is an online eBay store specialising in the sale of cork products. Teresa started her business in 2010 out of her hobby of creating items out of used cork, and since then it has grown by 200% annually thanks in large part to international sales. About 99% of CorkSpirit’s sales are exports and the biggest markets include the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. Teresa has sold her cork products to customers in over 100 countries, connecting with individuals around the world who share her passion for cork.

CorkSpirit

“THE INTERNET HAS COMPLETELY REVOLUTIONISED THE WAY ANYONE DOES BUSINESS. IT’S THE FUTURE FOR THE SALE OF ANY PRODUCT”

FROM 2010 TO 2014, THE NUMBER OF EUROPEAN SMEs ON EBAY EXPORTING TO 15 OR MORE COUNTRIES INCREASED BY OVER 48%

: +48%

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eBay S

ME

s exporting to 15+ countries

LithuaniaANDRIUS KOLESNIKAS

Andrius was only 21 years old when he set up his own business of selling sneakers and other sports apparel. Demand being limited in a small market like Lithuania, Andrius leverages the internet and eBay selling to customers all over the world. His biggest export market is currently the US, but regular customers also come from Australia, Russia, Canada, Italy, Germany and Greece. Online visibility has allowed Andrius to grow his business quickly. As a result he’s been able to employ 26 individuals and open two physical retail stores in Lithuania.

Sports Clothing

“TRADING ON EBAY ALLOWS ME TO SELL MY PRODUCTS GLOBALLY, AND THAT ALLOWS ME TO EMPLOY MORE PEOPLE LOCALLY.”

TOP 5% OF TRADITIONAL FIRMS ACCOUNT FOR 82% OF EU ‘OFFLINE’ EXPORT MARKET SHARE, COMPARED TO EBAY SMEs WHERE THE TOP 5% ONLY ACCOUNT FOR 58%

58%

82% 18%

42%

TOP 5% EBAY EXPORTERS

TOP 5% TRADITIONAL EXPORTERS Traditional

Available market share for eBay SMEs

Basilicata, ItalyMARIO CALABRESE

Mario’s grandfather was a shoemaker by trade and his father evolved the business by opening a retail store in the small community of Grassano. In 1992 Mario’s father formally handed the business down to him, but as big shopping centres began entering the local market, the business struggled to remain competitive. In 2004, Mario therefore tried his luck selling some items on eBay, and that’s when Footloover was born. He started out slowly, selling surplus goods from the store, but soon customers asked for new and unique products. In 2013, Mario developed an international strategy and began marketing specifically to Germany, England, the U.S. and Australia. Today, Footloover exports about 50% of its products and still operates two retail stores in Grassano.

Footloover

“I AM NOT SAYING WE WOULD HAVE CLOSED OUR DOORS WITHOUT ONLINE SALES, BUT BUSINESS CERTAINLY WOULDN’T BE AS GOOD AS IT IS TODAY”

THE CHANCES OF SURVIVING AS AN EXPORTER ARE MORE THAN TWICE AS HIGH ON EBAY COMPARED TO THE TRADITIONAL ECONOMY.Traditional eBay

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EstoniaTIAGO LAURENÇO

Tiago Lourenço turned his hobby of trading coins and bullions into a full-time business. Originally from Portugal, Tiago chose to relocate himself and his business to Estonia because of its business and start-up friendly environment. Cross border sales are essential to Tiago’s business, accounting for up to 99% of his sales on eBay. Tiago has sold his products to approximately 40 countries worldwide, most commonly Europe and North America but also countries as far away as Aruba.

European Mint

“EBAY ALLOWED ME TO TURN MY HOBBY AND PASSION INTO A REAL BUSINESS. I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO TRY IT.”

ON EBAY, ALMOST ALL SMALL ONLINE BUSINESSES EXPORT (93%) COMPARED TO AN AVERAGE OF 26% OF OFFLINE SELLERS

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The Seller Advisory Forum is a European-wide group that gives sellers the opportunity to interact with senior eBay leaders and help shape the company’s policy and communication activity so that it supports their business aims.

Europe 2015

SELLER ADVISORY FORUM