New research released by eBay UK reveals that Britain’s online small businesses are showing resilience in the face of wider economic headwinds, with nearly four in five (78%) confident about business growth over the next 12 months.
eBay is spotlighting the rise of a new generation of ecommerce sellers who are building full-time businesses from their bedrooms, garages and kitchen tables, often with less than £1,000 in startup capital.
Confidence drivers
The research, commissioned by eBay, polled 1,000 UK small businesses selling via online platforms, and found the main drivers of confidence in growth were:
- Strong consumer demand (30%)
- New selling tools and AI innovation (20%)
- Increased platform support (17%)
- Some improving economic conditions such as interest rates (16%)
Growth challenges
However, challenges remain. The most cited barriers to growth include:
- Broader UK economic conditions (37%)
- Time constraints (30%)
- Access to funding (24%)
- Business confidence (24%)
- Administrative complexity (20%)
How AI is impacting SMEs
Online businesses were found to be adopting AI into their operations, with:
- A combined 69% feeling excited (43%) or curious (26%) about its potential
- Using AI tools to save time on admin and content creation (31%)
- List products faster and more easily (27%)
- Experiment with new products and ideas (27%)
- Grow sales or reach more customers (24%)
The research also highlights a growing wave of UK entrepreneurs who are building resilient, full-time businesses online, many of whom started with little initial investment – 44% launched their business with less than £1,000, and 3% started with no capital at all. Their ventures are rooted in homegrown grit and resourcefulness, with 38% of respondents saying their business began in a bedroom, 21% at a kitchen table and 15% in a garage.
These businesses are more than side hustles. For a growing majority, they’ve become the primary source of income: 69% of online sellers surveyed now say their ecommerce venture is their main job or a serious pursuit, reflecting a broader shift away from traditional 9-to-5 employment toward flexible, digital-first careers.
Britain’s online small businesses are reshaping what entrepreneurship looks like. Often with less than £1,000, people are creating careers on their own terms by building meaningful, resilient businesses from bedrooms, garages and kitchen tables.
What’s striking is the confidence in the future these businesses have, particularly amidst significant economic uncertainty. Ambitious and adaptable, many are already embracing tools like AI to scale smarter and grow faster. At eBay we’re proud to support their journey, lowering the barriers to entry, championing innovation, and helping sellers build businesses that are flexible, digital-first and designed for the future of work.
– Eve Williams, General Manager, eBay UK
