Following the success of similar initiatives in Germany and Italy, as well as Akron, OH and Lansing, MI, eBay is launching its first Retail Revival program in the UK. Partnering with the City of Wolverhampton, eBay is supporting local small business growth by empowering small business owners to get online, compete in today’s retail landscape, and reach customers all over the world.
The Retail Revival program will give about 100 local small retailers the tools they need to sell on eBay’s global marketplace. Through dedicated customer service, onboarding assistance, promotional support, and a tailored teaching program, the program will teach these retailers the fundamentals of selling online. eBay hopes that by helping small businesses harness the power of technology, they can demonstrate not only how small businesses benefit, but how the local economy does as well.
Last week, eBay UK VP, Rob Hattrell joined Wolverhampton Councillor John Reynolds at local business Goodstart Jones—one of the small businesses participating in the Retail Revival program. Together, they announced the partnership with an eye toward the future.
“We know that customer shopping behaviour is changing – but online should play an important part in helping businesses in our local communities to thrive,” Hattrell said. “I’ve seen that Wolverhampton businesses have the creativity, matched with the entrepreneurial skill, to create products needed and wanted all over the world—and eBay will help them to sell in the way they want to online. We should be very proud of the incredible strength of the small businesses of the UK and must seek to empower them more.”
eBay knows there are opportunities for Wolverhampton’s retailers to combine the convenience of online with the tangible experience of a physical store—and find the benefits in both.
Welcoming the new initiative, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence, said: “I’m delighted a global brand like eBay has chosen to work with us on an initiative which is the first of its kind in the UK. We value our small retailers that bring so much character to our city center.”
Lawrence continued, “eBay will provide valuable support to city retailers in the wake of a challenging national retail climate affected by changes in consumer behavior and the economy. It is an exciting program that will help businesses with their digital marketing and sales skills, giving them a solid platform for sustainable growth.”