Online merchant bolsters luxury fashion offering

eBay has made a play to make a name for itself as a luxury shopping destination.



The online merchant is partnering with Spring, a shopping app and website that features 1,500 luxury brands, from Prada, Gucci, and Saint Laurent to David Yurman, Rag & Bone, Mango and Chloe. By featuring the company as a marquee seller, eBay will feature a dedicated Spring storefront where shoppers can find, browse and purchase luxury items curated in one location.



The Spring storefront will also leverage eBay’s global platform and services, including its Shop the Look, Image Search, Find It On eBay and ShopBot solutions, according to the online merchant.



The partnership is a good fit for Spring’s highlighted brands and products, as 81% of all merchandise sold on eBay is new. Meanwhile, 88% of eBay’s items are immediately available for purchase, without the need for an auction or membership to make a purchase.



"The Spring and eBay partnership is evidence of a growing trend in which retailers are partnering – instead of competing – with other retailers," said Jill Ramsey, VP of merchandising at eBay. "With Spring, we can bring even more coveted merchandise to our buyers.”



The move is expected to send a message to other e-retailers that have evolved into online shopping destinations. For example, the partnership takes a swipe at Amazon, which continues to build relationships with luxury brands; as well as Gilt, which built its reputation on flash-sales, according to Racked.