It’s (somehow) nearly the end of another year and what a year it’s been. 

 

Small businesses are not only the beating heart of eBay, but the entire UK. It’s small businesses that drive our economy and communities. But unfortunately, it’s also small businesses that feel it the most when the going gets tough. Yet, in spite of everything that’s been thrown your way, we can’t help but be in awe of the remarkable resilience and resourcefulness you continue to display.

 

It’s for these reasons we’ve endeavoured to do what we can to support small businesses. Be it at our Business Roadshows, through our Capital for eBay Business Sellers programme, or our enhanced seller protections. But of course, we haven’t always got it right and we’re determined to keep learning and improving to make sure you maximise all eBay has to offer to help you enjoy a purposeful and profitable 2023.

 

It’s certainly been a year that’s tested the nation’s resolve. But it’s times like these that shape who we are and make us appreciate what we do have. So, once again, we’d like to thank each and every one of you for selling on eBay. We hope you’ve achieved your goals for this year, and we hope you can now enjoy some much-deserved rest and quality time with loved ones.

 

In the meantime, we’d like to reflect on some highlights of the year, while offering a glimpse at what we have in store to help you succeed in the year ahead – and beyond.

 

eBay Business Roadshows

 

The eBay Business Roadshow – an investment programme made up of smaller local events to help sellers across the UK start, scale and network with other businesses – has been full steam ahead throughout 2022. 

 

So far, we’ve visited 9 locations, met thousands of sellers, and handed out tens of thousands in grants to help small businesses grow during this difficult period. If you’re yet to join us at an eBay Business Roadshow, there’s 3 more to go in 2023! So, be sure to check out our list of cities and sign up to an upcoming event.

 

Capital for eBay Business Sellers in partnership with YouLend

 

It’s been a difficult time for small businesses, with the cost-of-living crisis and its knock-on effects making it more challenging to secure funding from traditional lenders. Our Capital for eBay Business Sellers programme, in partnership with YouLend, has granted sellers access to flexible financing to help you be prepared for those unexpected events, or when opportunity comes knocking.

 

So far, YouLend has offered funding to 77% of applicants and has already hit the £70 million funded milestone and we hope the programme will be able to support more of you in 2023. See what funding is available to you and start growing your business.

 

Enhanced seller protections

 

Protecting our seller community is important to us especially against abusive buyer activity or events that are outside of your control. That’s why our Top Rated and Above Standard sellers can now take advantage of an enhanced selection of protections and refund options. 

 

One such example is being able to give a partial refund. If a return ever comes back used or damaged by the buyer, or with missing parts, you can issue a partial refund and retain up to 50% of the refund value to cover the issue. Plus, when you issue a partial refund, we’ll also protect you from any chargebacks and remove negative or neutral feedback, defects and open cases in your service metrics relating to that claim.

 

This is just one way we’re striving to protect sellers and keep our marketplace safer. 

 

 

Supporting sellers during the Royal Mail strikes

 

Since August 2022, every month has seen disruption to deliveries following the ongoing strike action called for by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) at Royal Mail and Parcelforce. 

 

It’s a situation that’s been particularly tough on small businesses. That’s why we’ve taken steps to help minimise the impact on your business and protect your performance during periods of disruption.

 

Our General Manager, Murray Lambell, has also campaigned to provide a voice for eBay sellers like in this article in Sky News. And we’ll continue to work with relevant parties to support small businesses until a resolution is reached between Royal Mail and the CWU.

 

See you next year!

 

Now, remember to get your sales scheduled for January, ​​set your Time Away, and make sure you put your feet up for a much-deserved festive break. If you do find yourself feeling restless in the weird limbo between Christmas and New Year, don’t forget there’s a whole host of expert-designed courses on eBay Academy to help you brush up on your skills ahead of the New Year.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read and, as always, thank you for selling on eBay. 

 

Your eBay Team