eBay marketplace sellers will also be able to drop off parcels at lockers for onward delivery to buyers’ homes. All sellers have to do is scan their bar code and drop the parcel off – with the whole process taking a matter of seconds.
In the UK, InPost’s lockers are positioned at convenient locations including train stations, petrol forecourts, and supermarkets including Tesco, Morrisons and Lidl. The company argues that lockers ensure maximum flexibility, catering towards the growing number of casual and ‘side hustle’ sellers that require postal solutions that work around their day jobs and everyday routines.
The last mile operator believes this significant, and has pointed towards the fact eBay has seen significant growth in casual or “C2C” sellers as a result of the pandemic, in particular the rise of the ‘recommerce’ market. Research published by eBay in March 2021 highlighted that two thirds (67%) of UK sellers started to sell pre-owned goods during the pandemic to earn extra cash.
Commenting on the announcement, Jason Tavaria, CEO at InPost UK, said:
“We’re thrilled to have partnered with eBay to ensure that marketplace sellers have access to a convenient, flexible and time-saving delivery option that genuinely works in tandem with their normal routines. We see this as just the first step as InPost are continually delivering new and exciting products that companies like eBay can use to improve the lives of their buyers and sellers. We know online marketplaces such as eBay offer an important revenue stream for many entrepreneurs and casual sellers – particularly in the run up to Christmas, and today’s partnership ensures that those sellers have access to quick and easy ways to get their products to buyers.”
Meanwhile, Murray Lambell, General Manager of eBay UK, also commented as follows:
“At eBay, we’re committed to providing the right tools and levers to streamline the selling experience and to help our sellers make more money and boost sales. Our partnership with InPost ensures that sellers have greater choice in the delivery options available to them, presenting a convenient method of postage which can save both time and money – which is all the more crucial during this busy trading period.”