eBay Canada announces small business exporting initiative to help retailers stay local and grow globally
Based in Halifax and supported by all three levels of government, the program aims to strengthen local retail through ecommerce and global trade
TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2019 /CNW/ - Online marketplace leader, eBay Canada, together with the Halifax Regional Municipality, today announced the launch of Retail Revival, a program designed to help small and medium-sized retailers harness the power of ecommerce and global trade. This eBay program, the first of its kind in Canada, is supported by all three levels of government.
The free 12-month training, support and educational program empowers small and medium-sized retailers to thrive locally by leveraging eBay's global marketplace to reach new customers around the world. The program 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 small business and exporting.
"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," says the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion. "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 utilizing e-commerce."
Halifax was selected for the strength and diversity of its small business community, the growth opportunity for ecommerce and exporting from the local retail sector and the region's commitment to small business and its vision for local economic growth overall.
"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," says Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil.
As cross-border ecommerce continues to trend up, expected to comprise 20 percent of all worldwide ecommerce by 20221, Export Development Canada also notes that companies that export make more money, grow faster and do a better job weathering economic ups and downs including seasonality.
"Strong, independent small businesses have always played an important role in our local economy and in shaping our character of place," says Halifax Mayor Mike Savage. "As Halifax and Nova Scotia are working to embrace the innovation economy, we are proud to have this partnership with eBay Canada as an opportunity to keep local retailers competitive in a global marketplace."
eBay's platform connects retailers of all shapes and sizes to 177 million active buyers in 190 markets across the world. In Canada, 99 per cent of small retailers on eBay export, and to an average of 18 markets, compared to 12 per cent of traditional small businesses that engage in global trade2.
"As one of the most robust online marketplaces in the world, enabling entrepreneurs and small businesses is central to eBay's business and purpose," says Andrea Stairs, General Manager, eBay Canada & Latin America. "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."
This announcement follows successful Retail Revival program launches in Akron, Ohio and Lansing, Michigan during 2018. The program was also extended to Wolverhampton, United Kingdom in November 2018. Cumulatively, these three cities have already helped the small businesses involved generate millions of dollars in sales and export to over 80 international markets.
For more information about the program and to apply, please visit www.ebayinc.com/halifax.
About eBay
eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) is a global commerce leader including the Marketplace, StubHub and Classifieds platforms. Collectively, we connect millions of buyers and sellers around the world, empowering people and creating opportunity through Connected Commerce. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2017, eBay enabled $88.4 billion of gross merchandise volume. eBay is visited by more than 8 million unique Canadians per month (comScore Media Metrix: November, 2018). For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.
SOURCE eBay Canada
Media Contact, Stephanie Malcolm, Senior Consultant, Proof Inc., [email protected], 416-969-2729
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