Welcome to this week’s edition of eFocus, RepricerExpress’ weekly look at the top ecommerce stories and latest Amazon news from around the Web including Amazon could be about to pay more tax in the UK, Amazon sets up a Handmade marketplace to rival Etsy, Amazon Allowance set up to gift teenagers, Terapeak launches free eBay analytics app and eBay grows click and collect in Europe.
Amazon’s sales reporting change could raise tax bill: BBC News reports that Amazon is changing the way it records sales in a move that could see it paying more tax. Transactions carried out in European markets were previously recorded in Luxembourg, with which Amazon had a low-tax agreement. Now sales made through subsidiaries in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy will be registered in those countries. Amazon had received heavy criticism in the past for its tax avoidance policies. Continue reading…
Amazon’s ‘Handmade’ takes aim at Etsy: John Ribeiro at PC World reports that Amazon.com may be planning to set up a marketplace for crafts after a questionnaire was posted on the company’s website. A marketplace focused on artisan products, which could be called Handmade, would put the online retailer directly in competition with Etsy, where 1.4 million active sellers push 32 million handmade items, vintage goods and craft supplies. Continue reading…
Amazon Allowance enables recurring gifts and payments: Ina Steiner at eCommerceBytes reports that Amazon has launched an initiative called Amazon Allowance, which all friends or family to give a recurring gift in the form of shopping credit on Amazon. Parents can use it to give children an allowance, though those aged 13-17 are only permitted to receive Amazon Allowances if they set up Amazon.com accounts and use the allowances with the involvement of a parent or guardian.
Terapeak launches free eBay analytics app: Dan Wilson at Tamebay reports that eBay and Amazon analytics company Terapeak has launched a new free app that can help sellers get a better understanding of their sales. Sellers can web traffic and sales performance by category, marketplace and revenue, as well as examining the performance of individual listings. The dashboard looks pretty good and allows sellers to get a glimpse of valuable selling data. Continue reading…
eBay plots European growth with click and collect expansion: Sam Chambers at Bloomberg reports that eBay plans to expand its click and collect service in the UK and across Europe. Buyers on eBay collected 1.5 million parcels from UK store Argos in the first 18 months of the service. eBay’s vice president for Europe, Paul Todd told Bloombery that click and collect is becoming “the dominant way that consumers want their online purchases to be fulfilled” in the UK. Continue reading…
