EBay launches full-priced destination for designer labels

E-commerce behemoth EBay Inc. launched a full-priced designer shopping destination Tuesday in a play to expand beyond its roots as an auction site.

Called the Designer Collective, the site offers men and women’s clothing and accessories from 16 fashion labels, including True Religion and Calvin Klein.

EBay has been vying with other retailers for shoppers in areas such as same-day delivery. EBay Now, which promises delivery within a few hours, is rolling out to 25 cities. Amazon.com has added more cities to its same-day delivery service, including Los Angeles.

Devin Wenig, president of EBay Marketplaces, told Women’s Wear Daily the new designer offerings allow the company to partner instead of compete with designer labels.

He said the retailers manage their own inventory and storefronts via EBay.

“We’re transaction-based,” he said. “We only succeed if our partners succeed.”

EBay is expanding its offerings as online sales continue to grow. E-commerce in the U.S. is expected to shoot up from $263 billion last year to $414 billion in 2018, according to a report from Forrester Research. Online sales will jump to 11% of total sales, up from 8% in 2013.