It’s appears that small brick and mortar retailers may have another challenge on the horizon.
eBay has announced a new delivery service for online shoppers who join their “Plus” membership.
eBay Plus will provide members unlimited free deliveries and returns on new items purchased from eBay sellers.
This service will cost just $49 per year ($4.08 per month) and will rival Amazon’s Prime service.
eBay Plus is expected to roll out mid-June and is set out to develop the already growing eCommerce industry in Australia.
A recent report from Australia Post showed that Australians spent a record $21.4 Billion with online shopping.
This has out-done physical retail stores by 16.2%.
This research also revealed several interesting insights for eCommerce store owners:
Where Australians Are Spending Their Money Online
- Variety Stores (35.4%)
- Fashion (26.5%)
- Homewares & Appliances (11.1%)
- Health & Beauty (7.3%)
- Hobbies & Recreational Goods (7.1%)
- Media (6.9%)
- Specialty Food & Liquor (5.7%)
Growing eCommerce Industries in Australia
- Variety Stores (28.5%)
- Fashion (27.2%)
- Homewares & Appliances (10.9%)
- Health & Beauty (13.2%)
- Hobbies & Recreational Goods (9.9%)
- Media (8.1%)
- Specialty Food & Liquor (Flat)
With the growth in these eCommerce sectors, eBay plus is expected to stimulate this further.
Amazon Prime is also expected to release in Australia mid-2018
Between eBay Plus and Amazon Prime, small business owners are expected to have several difficult challenges ahead of them.
You can read the full news article here.