Digital technology combined with ecommerce marketplace models are expanding economic opportunities available to independent small businesses and entrepreneurs in markets globally. This is especially true in Spain, which has Europe’s fifth largest and increasingly digitally connected population, a growing tech base of skilled firms and workers, vibrant small and medium-sized enterprises that are proving increasingly receptive to online opportunities, and products that are valuable to consumers the world over.

The Spanish Government has been leaning into growth strategies that account for the central role that small businesses play in the economy and the increasing digitalisation of Spanish society. We recently published a new report exploring how eBay is fully aligned with this approach and leveling the playing field for export success by helping digitally proficient SMEs across Spain succeed on a global stage. This research reveals that nearly every eBay small business in Spain is an exporter, completely dwarfing the exporting activity of the country’s traditional businesses and the EU at-large with only 5.3% and 4.8% exporting respectively. Additionally, the average number of international markets reached by eBay’s Spanish small businesses (25) is more than six times greater than that of the country’s traditional businesses (4) and the EU (4). Collectively, these eBay small businesses exported to a remarkable 203 countries and territories, a global reach exceeding most of the largest multinational corporations.

Sending exports to more markets reduces vulnerability to downturns in top traditional sales destinations, and our research highlights how Spanish small businesses are using eBay to grow sales beyond the top export markets for the country’s traditional businesses. Comparing Spain’s Top 10 export markets for traditional businesses and the Top 10 export markets for Spain’s eBay small businesses reveals that three of the top eBay export markets supplement the overall Top 10 markets.  Finally, the top growth markets outside of the EU for Spain’s eBay small businesses extend to North America and Asia.

We invite you to read the full report here to learn more about how eBay is supporting sellers in Spain helping small businesses export with peace of mind.