There could soon be an increase in the proportion of female shoppers using eBay courier services after ordering items on the eBay.co.uk auction website following the appointment of a new UK and Ireland marketing director.
Amanda Metcalfe has worked in the retail industry for more than 20 years in both the high street and online arenas. She joined eBay as director of the fashion retail category in June 2011 and helped turn it into the auction platform’s most successful area, with more than four million people now heading to eBay.co.uk every month to search for clothing.
Previously, Ms Metcalfe worked with luxury online fashion sellers My-wardrobe.com and Cocosa.com, and also had marketing roles with major companies such as Sainsbury’s, Selfridges, Debenhams and Laura Ashley.
Clare Gilmartin, the website’s UK managing director, said the industry is currently undergoing a “significant transformation”, based on the need for companies to drive growth by adopting new technologies and channels. With this in mind, Ms Metcalfe’s combination of online and offline expertise will prove “invaluable”, Ms Gilmartin predicted.
“It’s an exciting time for our UK business, which is now our fastest-growing market,” she added.
“We’re seeing particularly rapid growth in the number of female internet shoppers using our site and [Ms Metcalfe’s] background will help us to deliver a UK marketing plan that has an understanding of the female UK shopper at its heart.”
The new marketing director said she was “delighted” to be taking on a new challenge that will enable her to use her high street and e-commerce experience and expand into new areas such as home and garden, which has been performing well.
In April this year, eBay.co.uk launched its spring/summer 2012 fashion collection, featuring 80 pieces, a range of different styles and well-known brands such as French Connection, Dune, LK Bennett and House