eBay has launched a stimulus package to assist local retailers get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The package permits eligible eBay sellers to defer fees for 30 days, and removes listing fees until June 30.
For new sellers opening an eBay store, the business is offering no selling fees for three months to help them establish their online presence while brick and mortar stores close.
The initiative aims to help thousands of small to medium-sized businesses and will give a much-needed boost to the 57 per cent of retail that is still offline in Australia.
eBay Australia Managing Director, Tim MacKinnon comments, “eBay is devastated to see so many Australian retailers closing their physical stores. We believe that just because they’ve had to close their doors, it doesn’t mean they need to close their businesses.
“In recent weeks we have seen more Australians come to eBay for the things they need from everyday essentials to office furniture and activities they can do indoors. eBay is the shopping centre of online retail, enabling small businesses to quickly and easily establish an online presence and ultimately ensure their goods are reaching the people that need them.”
National Retail Association (NRA) CEO Dominique Lamb comments, “Retail is the second largest employer of any industry in Australia, with annual sales of $286 billion. Every effort needs to be made to save jobs and initiatives such as Always Open on eBay Australia will help keep the economy ticking over during this period of upheaval.”
Existing eBay sellers can visit here for more information on how to request support. New sellers can visit ebay.com.au/alwaysopen to get started.