eBay UK Thanks Sellers After Enduring a Challenging Year 2022

eBay UK thanked sellers after enduring a challenging year selling on the marketplace as inflation and the Royal Mail postal worker strike have impacted just about everyone in Britain.

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In a video posted by eBay, Murray Lambell, General Manager of eBay UK, said, “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 also they’re the beating heart of the UK economy.

“Unfortunately, it’s also small businesses that feel it the most when the going gets tough.

“Despite everything that’s been thrown your way, I can’t help but be in awe of the resilience that you’ve shown.

“It’s for these reasons that we’ve tried to do what we can to support small businesses.”

In an accompanying announcement on its platform, eBay UK highlighted some of the programs it launched in support of small businesses in 2022.

The eBay Business Roadshow is a program made up of smaller local events where the company visited 9 locations engaging with thousands of sellers and handing out tens of thousands in grants to help small businesses grow.

eBay UK has three more events planned in 2023 on the 12th of January in Bristol, the 2nd of February in Belfast, and the 2nd of March in Cardiff, and the company encourages sellers to sign up for one of the upcoming dates.

Capital for eBay Business Sellers is another program the company highlighted that helps small businesses secure funding to grow their operations when lending has become challenging during the cost-of-living crisis and its consequences.

eBay said its partnership with YouLend has already funded 77% of applicants and has hit the £70 million funded milestone.

Enhanced Seller Protections is another area eBay UK spotlighted in its year-end wrap-up. The company said that Top Rated and Above Standard sellers can now take advantage of an enhanced selection of protections and refund options.

Specifically, eBay highlighted its partial refund option that allows sellers to retain up to 50% of the refund to cover the value of missing items, damage, or being used.

The Royal Mail/Parcelforce strike continues to be another huge problem that has plagued eBay sellers in the UK during the worst time of the year when many rely on brisk sales to drive profitability.

eBay UK has been taking actions to minimize the impact of the strike on businesses by offering performance protections to sellers during periods of disruption.

In addition, Murray Lambell has campaigned on behalf of sellers, in media opportunities. For example, in a late November article published by Sky News, he said: 

“The UK boasts one of the world’s most sophisticated ecommerce economies, with small businesses thriving by scaling up their retail operations online.

“But industrial action risks creating chaos at the worst time for businesses and families.

“Astronomical energy prices, rising interest rates, and the blowback from political unrest has made it incredibly challenging for small businesses to operate right now.

“Adding industrial action, which is causing widespread disruption to deliveries and sales, at the most important time of year for trading, risks being the nail in the coffin for many small businesses.”

eBay UK said it would continue to support small businesses until there is a resolution between the CWU (postal workers union) and Royal Mail.

Lambell acknowledged mistakes in 2022. In his video presentation, he said, “there have been times when we haven’t always got it right.” But added the company would continue to listen, learn, and improve to help sellers succeed over the next 12 months.

Looking forward, eBay UK suggested that sellers should schedule sales for January, set their Time Away (if applicable), and take a much-deserved rest during the festive break.

And for those sellers that want to get a jump on next year, they can head over to the eBay Academy and brush up on skills for next year.

eBay UK General Manager Murray Lambell Year-End Video