http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/6738158/Trade-Me-goes-global
Auction website Trade Me has signed a deal with international e-commerce company ChannelAdvisor, enabling online retailers around the world to list their products on the Kiwi site.
Trade Me, which listed on the New Zealand stock exchange in December, has said that it aimed to diversify more into selling new goods online.
The ChannelAdvisor arrangement would see new products on Trade Me in time for the 2012 Christmas season, the company told the NZX.
''With this deal we aim to provide Kiwis with access to an increased range of new goods from well-known brands in the familiar surroundings of Trade Me,'' CEO Jon Macdonald said. ''It's also a good way for retailers to get in front of New Zealanders without setting up a bricks and mortar store.''
The partnership was important in terms of delivering on Trade Me's strategic goals, he said.
''When we became a listed company... we talked about the importance of growing and diversifying the range of new goods available on Trade Me. ChannelAdvisor is a leader in helping brands boost their presence across various e-commerce channels, and it's great Trade Me will soon be an option for these sellers.''
ChannelAdvisor is an e-commerce platform that helps retailers sell more online through channels such as marketplaces and paid search and comparison shopping.
The company says it ''calms the chaos of online selling'' by enabling retailers to submit one inventory feed which is then translated into the specifications of numerous e-commerce channels and distributed accordingly.
Trade Me shares recently traded at $3.46, up three cents.
Personally, I don't see this as a good thing, there are a number of improvements Trademe needs to make locally before they flood the site with more items.
As a consumer, I don't believe people are aware of the downsides to buying in an auction either.
M
Edit:Spelling