Summer Trends

[seller_news_team]

Sellers,

Summer is now (officially) underway with lots happening in the world - from inflation to rising gas prices - affecting your business and daily life. With so much uncertainty, we are staying focused on creating the best experiences for customers. To continue to support you I wanted to update you on a much anticipated launch and the latest shopping trends we’re seeing. 

Two years into our strategy, and the more we do, the more we find ways to improve and make eBay even stronger. Take Todd Hallada of 2Bros Sports: when Todd was 16, options for work were limited due to his disability. But today he and his brother, Tom, sell trading cards full time, and much of their most valuable inventory is eligible for our latest ambitious launch: the eBay vault.  

Vault launch 

We recently launched the eBay vault - a highly secure, self-contained storage facility and digital marketplace for collectors. Once an item appears in the vault, buying and selling happens instantly - this is the new gold standard for enthusiasts. Now, it’s easier than ever to list, sell and complete dream collections.

As of today, single, graded trading cards $750+ are eligible, but we’re hearing from customers in a wide range of categories about how this foundation can assist your sales. This is the future of collectibles ownership that will bring more customer loyalty, more cross-category purchases, and more sales overall. Just a couple weeks in, we’re already working on expanding - so stay tuned for more!

The vault is an example of us leading a growing retail trend - we’re bringing together the physical and digital to make collecting more advanced than ever before. Similarly, we recently released eBay’s first collection of NFTs, in partnership with OneOf, and we just acquired KnownOrigin, a leading NFT marketplace. KnownOrigin’s provides artists a place to create unique, authentic, digital collectibles, in the form of NFTs. These are ways that we’re demonstrating eBay’s leadership as a trusted, modern marketplace for high-passion enthusiasts.   

Only on eBay

One of our greatest advantages is the sheer breadth of our inventory. Thanks to you, discovering countless extraordinary items on eBay happens every day. Earlier this month , we auctioned the epitome of tech nostalgia: an Apple-1 computer. Fully restored to its original working condition by The AAPL Collection and signed by its creator, Steve “Woz” Wozniak, it’s the first personal computer with a fully assembled motherboard and believed to be one of a few still in existence.  

Along with home computers, Apple also revolutionized music, which is why the recent discontinuation of the iconic iPod was a bit bittersweet (fun fact: the original iPod was introduced in 2001, six years after eBay launched). Since the news, we’ve seen searches for iPods surge 372%. What’s more, sales for Apple computers during the same period spiked 240%. If history has taught us anything about consumer electronics, it’s to never underestimate the power of Apple’s product updates; as September approaches (and so does their annual iPhone-centric event) we’ll be watching data on iPhones, iPads, watches and laptops.  

Recharging 

In recent months, there’s been a ~200% increase in meditation apps and podcasts for education, entertainment, exercise and even sleep. Notably, 66% of people say audio helped them feel less alone over the past year. As people become more plugged in to their apps and streaming content, it’s translating into more demand for refurbished audio items across the board.

Hot audio products include noise-canceling, Bluetooth / wireless headphones and earbuds from Bose (an exclusive refurb partner with us) and Sony, plus Skullcandy’s Grind Fuel True Wireless Earbuds. For portable Bluetooth speakers, JBL and Soundcore join Bose and Sony in the trending mix, with Samsung Soundbar + Wireless Subwoofers and Rear Speakers also on the rise. 

On the flip side, gaming has never been more popular. Gen Z, in particular, uses video games as a way to escape and connect. Even as life returns to normal, gaming remains a form of entertainment that doesn’t involve passively staring at a screen. Sony PlayStation 5 purchases are ticking up and the console is again a regular on our Top 20 keyword search list. Look beyond consoles and you’ll see gaming accessories are trending, like SteelSeries headsets and keyboards, Razer webcams, Elgato ring lights and panel LED lights, high-performance gaming RTX 3080 graphics cards, and power supply units (PSUs) like the Corsair RMx Series.  

Some of you may have heard of the metaverse - maybe it becomes the future, maybe it doesn’t. But sales of virtual reality headsets, like the Oculus Quest, are definitely rising. In fact, we’ve sold out weekly since refurbished availability launched in February!   

Unplugging 

While there’s no escaping screens, there’s also been a resurgence of low-tech entertainment — in particular board games. Led by Monopoly, Jenga, Trouble, Connect 4, Sorry, Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit, The Game of Life, Uno and Operation, we’ve seen an almost 82% spike in traditional tabletop activities since last year. 

Adding to its cult status, Monopoly recently announced the retirement of the T-Rex token piece, so those sets will no doubt become more coveted. If tabletop gaming isn’t big enough, demand for GIANT outdoor yard toys is on the rise again - think, jumbo Jenga and 4-in-a-Row games, pool floats, kites, bubble kits and inflatable rocket ship and monster yard sprinklers.

Wrap up 

I’m encouraged that as customer trends change with the economy, eBay continues to be where people turn to find great savings on the items they want - whether refurbished or pre-owned. So don’t be afraid to try different products or categories as shoppers continue adjusting their online habits.

There is an incredible amount going on right now, but that’s kind of the constant theme of the last two years - nothing stands still and some months seem more challenging than others. I hope you’re taking care of yourselves, I hope your summer is off to a great start, and as always, thank you for selling on eBay! 

Jordan Sweetnam

SVP + General Manager, Americas Market