In a recent survey of eBay UK's largest sellers, more expressed confidence than not that sales activity will rebound in 2009.
According to eBay, 64 percent of online businesses polled feel confident about the immediate business outlook, while just 15 percent said they doubted conditions would improve this year. More than half—54 percent—believe revenue will increase, while one in four have set lower revenue targets.
However, many UK sellers surveyed also worry that exchange rates will be a challenge throughout the year, with 51 percent saying they expect them to limit their business growth. Exchange rates have also pushed up the cost of supplies for 68 percent of respondents. Yet 44 percent said exchange rates boosted sales to other countries.
78 percent of sellers plan to expand or diversify their businesses this year
Interestingly, 78 percent of survey respondents said they plan to expand or diversify their businesses this year—an indication that sellers are either investing now for long-term e-commerce growth or simply ready to move beyond eBay.
The survey—which compiled responses from 410 of the top 2,000 business sellers on the site—is part of eBay's new quarterly Online Business Index created to measure the success of UK-based online sellers, including those who sell through channels outside of eBay. The Index also draws on sales data from eBay's top 1,000 business sellers.
All those covered by the Index are registered as businesses on eBay, and have annual revenues between GBP 139,000 and GBP 7.1 million. On average, these sellers derive 56 percent of their revenue through eBay, 22 percent through other sites and 23 percent through brick-and-mortar shops.
Auctiva staff writers constantly monitor trends and best practices of those selling on eBay and elsewhere online. They attend relevant training seminars and trade shows and regularly discuss the market with PowerSellers and other market experts.
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