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Sellers,

 

I’ve heard from many of you that it’s helpful when we share information that demonstrates what’s impacting the eBay marketplace, and there are a number of macro consumer trends and economic forces driving shopping behavior right now that I thought you’d find interesting.  

 

For example, it will come as no surprise that rising gas prices are increasing demand for electric vehicles and alternative forms of transportation, while ongoing supply chain challenges are incentivizing people to extend the life of their current cars, encouraging them to shop both routine and rare parts on eBay Motors. As people look to stretch their dollars, we are seeing even more enthusiasm for refurbished electronics and pre-owned inventory. And as workers head back to traditional offices in larger numbers, we’re experiencing spikes in a range of fashion items. From dress pants and heels, our shoppers are moving beyond zoom fashion essentials. 

 

In short, what’s happening out in the world is affecting everything from where shoppers go and how they get there to what they wear and how they spend their spare time.  

 

Automotive Continues to Shift Gears 

Supply chain disruptions are still a roadblock for new car shoppers, so people are investing in the vehicles they already own - keeping them running longer and better. Since last summer, “project car” listings have grown 158%, as DIYers take on true fixer-uppers. Used car prices are also up more than 40% since January 2022,  and this is creating strong demand for sellers in our P&A category.   

 

Even before gas prices hit record highs, people were getting creative about how to save at the pump. As a result, we’re seeing higher searches and sales of electric scooters, e-bikes, motorized skateboards, and even roller skates. For people who are just getting started, there are so many reasons to consider pre-owned when trying out these new wheels, and our selection has options at virtually every price point. With warmer weather just around the corner, I’d expect these categories will continue to grow in the months to come.  

 

And after a multi-year hiatus, the NY Auto Show is back in full force! In the past, auto media and enthusiasts at this show focused almost exclusively on the hottest upcoming car models. However, the industry conversation is different now, and eBay is showing up in a big way with a creative twist on this seminal event. For the first time, we’re hosting an Auto Parts Show and bringing our P&A offering to life. We’ll be working with top auto builders and DIY enthusiasts  to completely revamp existing vehicles - showing that this year, the most interesting car is likely the one you already own. These influencers - like J. Shia who stars in our new ad campaign - are authentic voices who love using eBay and telling their story about finding fun, strange and really rare parts.   

 

Re-Thinking Refurbished 

Just like cars are literally getting more mileage, we're seeing a ton of enthusiasm around refurbished electronics. With overseas manufacturers facing a tougher-than-usual environment, there’s a definite uptick in this space on eBay. In particular, Apple products are in high demand, with year-over-year sales of refurbished iPhone 12 Pro Max up 250%, MacBook Air M1s up 220% and iPad Mini 6 devices up a whopping 600%. And both Apple and Samsung refurbished smartwatches have nearly doubled.

In November, we introduced eBay Refurbished, a program that offers multiple condition grades and a wide range of price points on like-new products - all coming from sellers who have stepped up to meet the highest performance standards. Now, we have plans to expand the program this month, adding new categories and more options for buying in-demand products.   

 

Return to Office, Return to Style

With more workers heading back to the office, our fashion team is seeing spikes across a range of apparel and accessories. For starters, computer totes are up almost 70% and luxury handbags are up 20%. And we just added Mens’ bags to our Authenticity Guarantee service, as these styles from top brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Hermes trend on the marketplace. You might also be happy to hear that a “Zoom shirt” is no longer the only wardrobe essential - with people venturing outside, dress pants are up more than 80%, designer sunglasses are up 40%, and heels are up 20%. 

 

Regardless of the category in which you sell, momentum is up across the marketplace - today the business is better positioned for long term growth than we were pre-pandemic. As shared during Investor Day a few weeks ago, the strategy we’ve been pushing hard on has changed our trajectory. Shoppers come to us to discover those “only-on-eBay” items and find amazing value, without sacrificing quality. We are pushing harder than ever on what makes eBay special and are determined to keep this energy going. 

 

What’s most important is this: our marketplace wouldn’t be as diverse, relevant and resilient without you, our sellers. So a massive thanks for your dedication and for always making sure we can meet the ever evolving consumer demand. 

 

Lots to look forward to this month, with so much more to come - so thanks for reading. And as always, thanks for selling on eBay!

 

Jordan Sweetnam

SVP + General Manager, Americas Market