eBay UK announces reform plan, small and medium-sized enterprises become the key support targets

On February 25, eBay UK announced a three-year, multi-million-pound training and financial support program to help retail businesses in social enterprises, aiming to help develop community-based businesses and create jobs for marginalized and vulnerable communities hardest hit by the social and economic impact of COVID-19.

To deliver the scheme, eBay has partnered with Social Enterprise UK and the World Fair Trade Organisation to provide small businesses with a global storefront so they can reinvest their profits into communities in the UK and abroad.

The initiative, named ‘eBay for Change’, will serve as a hub connecting eBay UK, its 29 million UK shoppers and small businesses with a clear social mission, with up to 50 businesses set to trade through the scheme as it expands over the coming months, a number that is expected to grow significantly as it scales.

eBay said that about 300,000 small businesses successfully trade on eBay UK . According to Reuters, a quarter of online shoppers in the UK bought goods through the site during Christmas 2020. In a survey conducted by eBay this month, a third of respondents said that supporting businesses in disadvantaged communities must be prioritized to help the country recover from the pandemic.

This is because the social enterprise sector has grown tremendously over the past few years, creating 2 million jobs in the UK and contributing over £60 billion to the UK economy , with community enterprises playing a very important role in the UK.

“Business can be a force for positive change, and social enterprises are life-or-death examples of how this can be achieved… Customers are increasingly aware of the impact they make where they choose to spend their money – whether that’s supporting a small business or charity,” said Chris Gale, eBay UK head of social impact . “With eBay for Change, customers will get great products and the satisfaction that the proceeds from their purchase will make a real difference and support a community.”

eBay UK also announced a new partnership with UnLtd to create the first e-commerce startup program specifically for early-stage social entrepreneurs. This will provide 100 UK entrepreneurs with training, coaching and financial support to help them grow their businesses and social impact.

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