eBay unveils first UK concept store

The online marketplace has launched the store as part of its Retail Revival pilot scheme, a year-long programme in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton which entails working with 64 bricks-and-mortar businesses to improve their online sales.

The concept store, called Home Grown by Wolverhampton, will be open for a month and sell products from 40 small businesses.

Shoppers will be able to pay for purchases using QR codes, and eBay will track sales and footfall metrics in order “to better understand the interaction between physical and online retail”.

eBay’s UK vice president Rob Hattrell said: “The small retailers taking part in Wolverhampton’s Retail Revival have already shown that physical and online retail can survive – and thrive – together. They have achieved more than £2m in sales as of March and many have employed more staff as a direct result of the partnership.

“This pop-up store aims to take that growth, and the value of this programme, to the next level. It will explore how stores of the future could combine technology with that vital human connection to powerful effect – whatever the size of the business.”

The City of Wolverhampton Council’s deputy managing director, Mark Taylor, added: “This concept store shows yet again the strong commitment eBay has made to the City of Wolverhampton. The Retail Revival scheme is making a real difference to the participating businesses and the pop-up store will help give them an even bigger profile.

“We very much value the presence of these independent businesses in our city and the creative local people behind them. They help give City of Wolverhampton its own identity and character and, in this challenging retail climate, they need all the support they can get.”