eBay Retail Revival, together with Halifax Regional Municipality, announced the expansion of the programme, which aims to support small to medium-sized enterprise global growth. The scheme, the first of its kind in Canada, is supported by all three levels of government.
Retail Revival is designed to help local merchants to thrive internationally by leveraging eBay’s global marketplace to reach new customers around the world. Sellers are provided with free 12-month training, support and educational programme to kick-start their global expansion plans. The scheme will also include a dedicated customer service support team, digital tools and subscriptions, promotional marketing from eBay, as well as additional education and resources from participating partners focused on SMEs overseas exporting.
The marketplace boasts a large volume of retailers of all shapes and sizes. Some 177m active buyers in 290 markets across the words are currently trading on eBay. eBay Canada sees 99% of small retailers exporting to an average of 18 markets, compared to 12% of traditional small business that engages in global trade.
“As one of the most robust online marketplaces in the world, enabling entrepreneurs and small businesses is central to eBay’s business and purpose. We’re thrilled to be working with partners from all three levels of government on a program that fosters inclusive trade by connecting Canadian small retailers to the global economy through eBay.”
-Andrea Stairs, general manager of eBay Canada & Latin America
Cross-border trade continues to gain momentum, expected to comprise 20% of all worldwide ecommerce by 2020. So suggest Export Development Canada, export credit agency, which also notes that businesses that export make money, grow faster and “do a better job weathering economic ups and downs including seasonality.”
“Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy, and they are making valuable contributions to the economic viability of their communities. Through the Retail Revival program, Nova Scotia entrepreneurs will have the tools and support they need to take advantage of exporting opportunities to international customers by utilising ecommerce.”
-Mary Ng, minister of small business and export promotion of Canada
“Small and medium-sized businesses are essential to our economy, and we want to see them thrive. Nova Scotia is partnering with eBay Canada to help our smaller retailers start exporting or grow their exports through e-commerce, and we are making sure the pilot can have both a footprint in Halifax and extend its reach and benefits to retailers in communities across the province.
-Stephen McNeil premier of Nova Scotia
This news follows eBay’s successful Retail Revival programme launch in Akron, Ohio, Lansing, Michigan and Wolverhampton, the UK during 2018. These markets saw SMEs generate significant revenues and export to over 80 international countries.
