I'm pretty sure sometime later today valueaddedresource's blog will cover both Investor Day and the Seller Check In from an active seller perspective. I would recommend reading that.
I don't have time this AM to delve into the various upcoming changes announced, such as The Vault, ebay Wallet, a new Promoted Listings tool to promote your store (rather than listings), etc.
Instead, I want to say (and these are MY words, not ebay's) that the overall game plan discussed by management is important to understand if you want to be able to follow where ebay is headed. Again, MY words here:
Wenig (former CEO) attempted, with some initial success, to compete in the new, in-season sphere against Amazon, WalMart,etc.....and it is clear, by the end of 2019, his strategy was failing miserably. The new CEO, Iannone, has basically acknowledged that ebay lost the ebay-Amazon War (and never should have fought it in the first place), and his new strategy is focused on NON-new, in season merchandise. Antiques, Vintage, Used, Reconditioned. To the extent that ebay might embrace new, in season, it is largely in Collectibles---the latest taring card, limited edition sneaker, etc. This does NOT mean ebay is going to get rid of sellers selling new stuff. But it is a HUGE shift in focus and strategy. And it is why we keep hearing about "high value buyers". This does NOT mean --as some YouTube gurus have been saying---that ebay does not want lower dollar items on the site. Not at all. It does mean ebay will be more focused on getting and keeping engaged buyers...AND in trying to convert buyers who aren't very engaged with the site, into buyers who are. Which is one reason ebay is putting so much focus on things like coded coupons, newsletters, stores, and other changes designed to keep buyers returning to the site. And to come to the site in the first place.
Now, my opinion: ebay is far from perfect. it's not clear that this new strategy will work or won't work. I have plenty of complaints about ebay. BUT...the change from new, in season emphasis to NON-new, in season is a welcome and long overdue change. This has ALWAYS been ebay's Sweet Spot, and if previous CEOs had recognized that, ebay would possibly have few competitors in this area today, because ebay would utterly dominate. This may be too little, too late, or it might be just in time. We'll have to wait and see.
