Ebay launches eBay Collections on UK site

Online marketplace eBay has introduced its Pinterest-like shoppable inspiration feature ‘eBay Collections’ as part of its new revamped UK website. The ‘Collections’ feature, which has been available in America since late last year, allows eBay shoppers to handpick items from the marketplace and group

them into collections to create “visual stories”.

Similar to Pinterest, the new feature allows users to curate items they select into themes, to make it easier to watch and sell items, as well as inspire and engage with other eBay users. The collections aren’t just for shoppers but also for eBay sellers, as it allows them to group their ranges easily together to share on other social media channels. Retailers including Debenhams, Joules, Boden, French Connection and Karen Millen are already utilising the Collections tool to sell their eBay ranges.

Sarah Calcott, UK senior marketing director, eBay, said: “The way we shop is changing. Shoppers are in the driving seat like never before and rightly expect an experience that’s both fun and functional. "That’s what eBay Collections is all about: the fun of browsing and discovery, that’s shoppable. These new features are part of the biggest suite of changes we’ve introduced to eBay in the UK and they’re designed to help shoppers follow their passions.”

Ebay offers shoppable inspiration ‘collections’ tool

Like with other social platforms, users can also choose to follow others who have created collections, as well as view the ‘eBay Today’ feature on the website that showcases inspiration selected by the website’s team. The content is also easily sharable to other platforms including Twitter and Facebook.

To help inspire shoppers to get involved, eBay has signed up a host of celebrity “marquee curators” including singer, TV personality and fashion designer Dannii Minogue, designer and entrepreneur Kelly Hoppen, as well as musician Alex James and well known fashion bloggers Susie Lau of Style Bubble and Sasha Wilkins from Liberty London Girl. Each has curated their own collections using items for sale on eBay to showcase their passions.

Since ‘Collections’ launched in the US in October 2013 more than one million collections have been created, with a fifth of these by retailers looking to engage with eBay shoppers.